India-Seychelles ties: PM Modi announces $175 million economic package; focus on maritime, development cooperation – The Times of India

India on Monday introduced a $175 million development help bundle for Seychelles after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held huge-ranging talks with the island nation’s President Patrick Herminie, with the 2 sides outlining a joint imaginative and prescient to develop bilateral engagement throughout sectors. The development was introduced following the Modi-Herminie assembly, which additionally noticed the signing of seven agreements overlaying areas resembling digital options, exports, knowledge sharing and maritime scientific analysis, PTI reported.

The two international locations additionally agreed on a broader framework to develop cooperation in sustainability, commerce and economic system, and safety. “At the moment’s assembly makes it clear that the India-Seychelles partnership is getting into a brand new part,” PM Modi mentioned.Herminie is on a six-day go to to India. Seychelles is taken into account a key maritime companion for India within the Indian Ocean area. “India and Seychelles share a relationship that extends far past diplomatic engagement. The waves of the Indian Ocean have related our peoples for hundreds of years,” the prime minister mentioned in his media assertion.“Alongside its shores, commerce between our nations has grown, cultures have converged, and traditions of belief have continued to strengthen,” he added.In the course of the talks, each leaders agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in hydrography to help Seychelles’ blue economic system plans. As half of this effort, Seychelles will set up a Seychelles Hydrographic Unit (SHU) with Indian help.Highlighting the historic depth of ties, Modi mentioned India and Seychelles are related not “simply by geography, however by historical past, belief and a shared imaginative and prescient for the longer term.”“Our bond spans the previous, the current, and the longer term. As a maritime neighbour and a trusted companion, Seychelles is an integral half of India’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Development for Safety and Development Throughout Areas) Imaginative and prescient. Our cooperation encompasses the maritime, land, and air domains,” he mentioned.“In at present’s discussions, we charted a path to additional strengthen this partnership. We agreed to proceed exploring new alternatives to deepen our economic cooperation,” he added.The prime minister mentioned development cooperation stays a key pillar of India-Seychelles relations, guided by the island nation’s priorities. “Constructing on this course, at present we’re saying a Particular Economic Package deal of 175 million {dollars},” Modi mentioned.The bundle will help tasks in social housing, e-mobility, vocational coaching, healthcare, defence and maritime safety. The help contains $125 million as rupee-denominated Line of Credit score and $50 million as grant help.Overseas Secretary Vikram Misri mentioned India can even present 1,000 metric tonnes of grains and lentils below the bundle.Modi mentioned India will proceed cooperation with Seychelles in supplying reasonably priced high quality medicines and strengthening healthcare infrastructure. “Within the areas of power and local weather, our cooperation is guided by a shared dedication to sustainable development. We are going to additional develop our collaboration in renewable power, resilience, and local weather-adaptive options,” he mentioned.The prime minister additionally mentioned India will share experience in marine analysis, capability constructing and knowledge sharing.“Defence cooperation and maritime safety are necessary pillars of our partnership. We welcome Seychelles as a full member of the Colombo Safety Conclave,” he mentioned.“This may strengthen our mutual coordination and reinforce efforts to make sure peace and stability within the Indian Ocean,” he added.