New Delhi is gearing up for a significant diplomatic engagement as Seychelles President Patrick Herminie embarks on his first official visit to India, spanning five days from Thursday. Invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this trip marks a milestone since Herminie assumed office last October.
The visit, set to conclude on February 10, underscores the deepening ties between the two nations as they celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. President Herminie will hold key meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and engage in bilateral talks with PM Modi. Discussions are expected to cover not just bilateral cooperation but also pressing regional and global issues.
In a strategic move amid the Indian Ocean dynamics, this visit highlights Seychelles’ pivotal role as a maritime neighbor. India’s ‘Vision Sagarmala’ and commitments to the Global South find a key partner in Seychelles, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Herminie’s itinerary extends beyond the capital. He will visit Chennai and Mumbai to participate in business events, fostering economic linkages. The MEA anticipates this tour will inject fresh momentum into comprehensive India-Seychelles collaboration.
Reflecting on recent exchanges, this follows Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s trip to Seychelles in October 2025 for Herminie’s inauguration. There, discussions reinforced shared visions for peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and Global South.
Diplomatic history between the nations dates back to 1976, post-Seychelles’ independence, with India establishing its mission in Victoria in 1979 and Seychelles opening its permanent mission in New Delhi in 2008. Built on shared heritage and people-to-people ties, these relations continue to evolve, promising enhanced stability and growth.