As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a three-day visit to Seychelles, there is considerable buzz about reviving India’s strategic partnership with the island nation after a slowdown in ties in recent years. The resurgence has come about since Patrick Herminie assumed the presidency in Seychelles last October. His visit to India in February was highly substantive and clearly demonstrated his intent to take the bilateral ties to the next level. Prime Minister Modi’s visit is expected to provide that much-needed momentum to further strengthen the partnership across a broad spectrum.
There is a sense of urgency now with the West Asia conflict serving as a wake-up call to both India and Seychelles. Although oil has since started flowing through the Strait of Hormuz and maritime trade has resumed, there is a growing realisation that such global shocks can impact nations irrespective of their size and level of development. The prolonged disruption of shipping has heightened maritime security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region. The war’s effect was particularly severe for an import-dependent economy like Seychelles with supplies of food, energy and consumables coming to a grinding halt. India rushing an initial tranche of 250 MT of food grains, construction material including cement and other necessities to Seychelles shortly after President Herminie’s visit was much appreciated as it helped tide over the immediate crisis.Modi returns to Seychelles after his landmark visit in March 2015, which was the first to the island nation by an Indian prime minister in 34 years. It was immediately following his visit to Seychelles that PM Modi articulated his SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision in Mauritius, signifying the extension of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy to its maritime neighbours as well.
