Seychelles

Seychelles

Context

In February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie announced the Joint Vision "SESEL" (Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages) during the President's state visit to New Delhi. The visit marks a historic milestone: the 50th anniversary of Seychelles’ independence and 50 years of India-Seychelles diplomatic ties.

About Seychelles

• Definition: A Small Island Developing State (SIDS) comprising an archipelago of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean.
• Geography: Located between 4°–11° S latitude and 46°–56° E longitude; approximately 1,600 km east of Kenya and 1,100 km northeast of Madagascar.
• Capital: Victoria, situated on the northeastern coast of Mahé, the largest and most populous island.

Geological Classification

• Inner Islands (Granitic): Over 40 mountainous, granitic islands (including Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue) featuring narrow coastal plains and lush central hills. These are fragments of the ancient Gondwana supercontinent.
• Outer Islands (Coralline): Over 70 low-lying coral atolls and reef islands that are flat, mostly uninhabited, and rise only a few meters above sea level.
• Highest Point: Morne Seychellois (905 m), located within the Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé island.
• Natural Heritage: Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
  • Aldabra Atoll: The world's second-largest coral atoll, famous for giant tortoises.
  • Vallée de Mai: A prehistoric forest on Praslin island containing the endemic Coco de Mer (the world's largest seed).

India–Seychelles Joint Vision (SESEL)

The 2026 declaration focuses on five key pillars of cooperation:

• Special Economic Package: India announced a USD 175 million package, consisting of:
  • USD 125 million as a Rupee-denominated Line of Credit (LoC).
  • USD 50 million as a direct Grant for high-impact infrastructure and housing.
• Maritime Security & MAHASAGAR: Reaffirming Seychelles as a "key pillar" of India's MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). Includes:
  • Enhanced joint surveillance and hydrography.
  • Refitting the patrol ship PS Zoraster for the Seychelles Coast Guard.
  • Seychelles joining the Colombo Security Conclave as a full member.
• Digital Transformation: Deploying India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Seychelles to revolutionize digital payments and e-governance service delivery.
• Climate & Resilience: * Implementation of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems.
  • Technical assistance for power grid management and Green Public Transport.
  • Seychelles joining the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• Healthcare & Food Security:
  • Recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia to ensure access to affordable, quality medicines.
  • Donation of 10 advanced ambulances and 1,000 metric tonnes of food grains to lower the cost of living.

Conclusion

The "SESEL" vision signals a strategic shift toward a more comprehensive, digital, and climate-focused partnership. As a "maritime neighbor," Seychelles remains indispensable to India’s security architecture in the Western Indian Ocean, while India continues to be the preferred development and security partner for the island nation.