New Delhi is gearing up for a significant diplomatic milestone as Seychelles President Patrick Herminie arrives on a state visit from February 5 to 10. Invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this trip marks Herminie’s first official journey to India since assuming office, coinciding perfectly with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs announced the visit on Monday, highlighting its importance in strengthening bilateral bonds. President Herminie will hold key meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and engage in in-depth discussions with PM Modi on a wide array of bilateral, regional, and global issues. These conversations are expected to chart the course for deeper collaboration in the Indian Ocean region.
Beyond the capital, Herminie’s itinerary includes stops in Chennai and Mumbai, where he will participate in high-profile business events. These engagements underscore the economic dimensions of India-Seychelles relations, fostering trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
Seychelles holds a pivotal position as India’s key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean. The visit aligns seamlessly with India’s Vision SAGAR – a blueprint for security and growth for all in the region – and reaffirms New Delhi’s commitment to the Global South. Officials note that this trip follows Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s recent visit to Seychelles in October 2024, building on momentum from that exchange.
Herminie was sworn in as Seychelles’ sixth president in a grand ceremony at Unity Stadium last October, attended by India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. During his stay in Victoria, Dhankhar met Herminie at State House, exchanging congratulations and discussing ways to bolster cooperation. The leaders reiterated shared visions for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Dhankhar also conferred with Seychelles Vice President Vincent Meriton, emphasizing the multifaceted India-Seychelles partnership rooted in shared heritage, culture, and strong public connections. Diplomatic relations were formalized in 1976 post-Seychelles independence, with India’s INS Nilgiri participating in the inaugural celebrations. India established its mission in Victoria in 1979, while Seychelles opened its High Commission in New Delhi in 2008.
This visit promises to inject fresh energy into the partnership, paving the way for enhanced security, development initiatives, and mutual prosperity in a strategically vital region.