India will gift Seychelles an Interceptor Coastguard boat and a second Dornier aircraft.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this yesterday in a statement at the end of a restricted meeting with President James Michel who is on a three-day state visit in India.

The meeting was followed by the signing of five agreements. Seychelles’ Foreign Affairs and Transport Minister Joël Morgan and Indian Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar exchanged the documents for the five agreements inked by the two countries to strengthen their ties.

The five documents relate to the exchange of information with regard to taxes; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for providing one Dornier maritime aircraft; an air services agreement; a protocol on framework of cooperation on blue economy; an MoU in agricultural research and education.

Prime Minister Modi and President Michel witnessed the agreements signing at Hyderabad House.

There was also a presentation of navigational chart of the island of Aldabra to Minister Morgan.

Mr Modi termed Seychelles a key strategic partner for India and said President Michel's visit has imparted additional momentum to bilateral relations.

President Michel said, in his media statement, his visit to India within five months of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Seychelles "illustrates the unique relationship the two have on shared values and aspirations".

He expressed his joy to be back in India to feel the heartbeat of the world’s largest democracy and the modern economic dynamism of a nation which is an inspiration to all.

“My visit comes barely five months after the memorable and fruitful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Seychelles in March of this year. It illustrates the unique and special relationship that our two countries share, based on our shared values and aspirations. It is a relationship which is strategic, historical, multi-faceted and longstanding,” said President Michel.

He said both Seychelles and India have common goals in the Indian Ocean Rim Association and that the agreements inked yesterday would pave the way for enhancement of bilateral ties.

He added that the vibrant Indian community in Seychelles which is part and parcel of the long history of our country and which shapes our common destiny is a catalyst in bolstering this strategic partnership and our convergent bilateral interests.

“Our common goals in the Indian Ocean and the importance we attach to the strengthening of our only pan Indian Ocean organisation, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, have also been of critical importance in imparting both substance and momentum to our relationship. This visit and my extremely fruitful and constructive discussions with Prime Minister Modi have reinforced my conviction in the strength and importance of this partnership,” said President Michel, who noted that the agreements signed have paved the way for the enhancement of bilateral relations between the two countries.

He expressed appreciation for the Dornier aircraft, which he said would significantly enhance security of his country.

Mr Michel said Seychelles has expressed willingness to be a partner in the maritime security cooperation between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

“We are pleased to have India as a partner in the development of our Blue Economy. Our cooperation in this field gives us the chance to build economic opportunities while also sustaining future generations.

“Prime Minister Modi and I have underscored the need for a more comprehensive and significant economic partnership in terms of trade, investment and related activities. We want it to be a partnership which drives economic growth, wealth and prosperity for our two nations,” noted the President.

In his statement, Prime Minister Modi announced the gifting of an Interceptor Coastguard boat and a second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles.

"We are honoured to be a partner in providing aircraft, naval vessels and coastal radar systems for strengthening surveillance capacities. Our cooperation in hydrography surveys is extensive and growing," said Prime Minister Modi who had met President Michel in Seychelles in March this year.

"In March, I announced that we would gift a second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles. I am pleased that we have completed the process quickly and signed the agreement today (yesterday)," added Mr Modi.

He said it is always a great pleasure to welcome home a special friend, which President Michel certainly is.

“I am also delighted to reciprocate President Michel’s exceptional hospitality in March, this year. He has led his country with great vision. He is a strong global voice of concern on climate change, especially for small island countries.

“Excellency, just as we appreciate your country’s beauty, we admire your nation’s progress. Let me repeat what I said in Seychelles: Your country shows that size is no barrier to the scale of achievements. President Michel has also been instrumental for the progress in our relationship. We value this greatly because Seychelles is a key strategic partner for India,” Mr Modi said.

He termed the agreement for cooperation on Blue economy as a "huge step forward" in ties and in promoting sustainable ocean economy in the region.

Mr Modi said both sides look forward to cooperating in space, including in the areas of managing land and marine resources, fisheries advisory, weather forecasting and disaster management.

"We have begun preparations for infrastructure development on the Assumption island in Seychelles," Mr Modi said.

He said the air services agreement inked yesterday would enable more and easier connections between the two countries.

With the climate change summit in Paris, France in December, Mr Modi said climate change is a serious threat to island countries like Seychelles. "With a shoreline of 7,500km and nearly 1,300 islands, India has similar concerns."

Prime Minister Modi proposed that both could "work together for a comprehensive, balanced and effective outcome on climate change at COP 21 in Paris later this year".

He expressed appreciation for Seychelles' support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN security council.

He also conveyed India's "desire to work with small island developing states to realise their vision of Samoa Pathway and to be a source of strength for each other in international forums".

He also thanked Seychelles for its support in making the International Day of Yoga a big success.

Text and photos Gerard Govinden in Delhi

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