Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing in the visitor's book at the State House, Victoria, on Wednesday said that the people of Seychelles have made him feel like 'one of their own', adding that India considers the island nation as a trusted neighbour and strategic partner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writing in the visitor's book at the State House, Victoria, on Wednesday said that the people of Seychelles have made him feel like 'one of their own', adding that India considers the island nation as a trusted neighbour and strategic partner.
"Though this is my first visit to Seychelles, the people of Seychelles have made me feel like one of their own. I have been deeply touched by their warmth and affection towards me. This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister in over three decades. Yet, President Michel and I were able to strike a rapport as if we were old friends," he wrote.
"I am impressed by President Michel's vision. India considers Seychelles not only as a maritime neighbour but as a trusted friend and a strong strategic partner. This visit has deepened our mutual trust and taken our cooperation to a new level. The beauty of this 'Paradise on Earth' will remain with me forever," he added.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi embarked on his five-day, three-nation visit to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Relations between India and Seychelles have been characterized by close cooperation and understanding. An Indian naval ship, the INS Tarasa, was gifted to Seychelles in 2014 to augment surveillance and patrolling capacity of Seychelles waters. Several Indian ships have since made port calls in Victoria.
In 2009, on the request of Seychelles, India dispatched naval ships to patrol its exclusive economic zone and guard it against piracy. India has also helped Seychelles' armed forces in capacity building. During the Indian presidential visit to Seychelles in 2012, India announced US$ 50 million as Line of Credit and US$ 25 million as grant to the Government of Seychelles. Indian assistance has also flowed since the 1980's under ITEC programme in civilian defense and other fields.
Indians constitute about one tenth of the country's 91,000-strong population. On January 9, 2015, the Pravasi Bharatitya Samman Award was conferred on a Seychelles citizen of Indian origin, Justice D. Karunakaran. He is the second Seychellian recipient of the award. The community is looking forward to greater people to people contact with India which would receive an impetus with the visit of Prime Minister Modi to the island nation.
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