India and Seychelles strengthened their longstanding bilateral partnership on Sunday by signing an extradition treaty, a Rs 1,250 crore rupee-denominated line of credit and an agreement to introduce India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) digital payment system in the island nation.
Prime Minister Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie held wide-ranging discussions on maritime security, defence cooperation and regional challenges in the Indian Ocean. The agreements were concluded during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to Seychelles, where he attended celebrations marking the country’s 50th Independence Day as the guest of honour.
Addressing the media after the talks, PM Modi said India and Seychelles share inseparable security interests and would continue strengthening cooperation in safeguarding the region. PM Narendra Modi also outlined India’s vision of an Indian Ocean driven by economic opportunity, mutual trust and collective prosperity, stating that maritime security and economic development should progress together.
Commitment to Counter Maritime Threats
President Herminie reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to India’s MAHASAGAR vision and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration in addressing piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes. He acknowledged India’s continued support in maritime surveillance, hydrography and defence capacity-building, including the supply of patrol and attack vessels to the Seychelles Coast Guard.
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The Seychelles President also said India’s special economic package worth 175 million US dollars would finance projects in social housing, healthcare, green mobility, vocational training, defence and maritime security.
Leaders Exchange Views on Regional Developments
The two leaders reviewed developments across the Indian Ocean region and West Asia while discussing shared maritime challenges. PM Modi noted that the visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and described the bilateral relationship as one built on trust.
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He added that both nations would work to make their economic partnership more resilient while improving connectivity between India and Seychelles, a move expected to strengthen trade and links with East Africa and the wider Indian Ocean region.
Extradition Treaty Strengthens Legal Cooperation
Among the major outcomes of the visit was the signing of an extradition treaty designed to strengthen legal cooperation against transnational crime. The agreement establishes a framework for extraditing fugitives and enhancing coordination between law enforcement agencies of both countries.
India and Seychelles also signed a Rs 1,250 crore rupee denominated umbrella line of credit agreement to support infrastructure and development projects under India’s special economic package announced during President Herminie’s visit to India earlier this year.
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UPI Digital Payments to Launch in Seychelles
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NPCI International Payments Ltd and the Central Bank of Seychelles will facilitate the introduction of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Seychelles. According to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, the digital payment platform is expected to become operational before the end of the year.
Additional agreements covered cooperation in satellite applications and space technology, development of the New Seychelles National Hospital, training programmes for diplomats, agricultural research collaboration and recognition of certifications for Indian seafarers serving on Seychelles-flagged vessels.
Development Projects and Humanitarian Assistance
The two countries also conducted a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the Professional and Technical Education Centre in Seychelles. India announced the completion of the refit of the Seychelles Coast Guard vessel Zoroaster and the upgrade of a Dornier surveillance aircraft previously supplied to the country.
India further handed over 500 metric tonnes of rice to strengthen food security and 8,500 metric tonnes of cement to support infrastructure development projects in Seychelles.
During the discussions, President Herminie requested India’s assistance in supplying an advanced light helicopter and establishing dedicated centres for cyber security and artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Modi said the proposals would be examined.
Seychelles Honours PM Modi
Seychelles conferred the symbolic presidential recognition titled “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” on Prime Minister Modi in recognition of his contributions to sustainable development, climate action, ocean governance and the promotion of the blue economy.
Accepting the honour, PM Narendra Modi dedicated the recognition to countries working to combat climate change and protect the environment for future generations.
Visit Marks Historic Bilateral Milestones
Prime Minister Modi’s visit, held from June 27 to June 29, is the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Seychelles in 11 years. It commemorates both the 50th anniversary of Seychelles’ independence and five decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The visit follows President Patrick Herminie’s State Visit to India in February 2026 and reflects growing strategic cooperation in defence, maritime security, connectivity and economic development across the western Indian Ocean region.
