{"id":110343,"date":"2026-06-29T10:05:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T04:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=110343"},"modified":"2026-06-29T10:51:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T05:21:52","slug":"india-seychelles-relations-strengthening-the-mahasagar-vision-in-the-indian-ocean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/india-seychelles-relations-strengthening-the-mahasagar-vision-in-the-indian-ocean\/","title":{"rendered":"India-Seychelles Relations &#8211; Strengthening the MAHASAGAR Vision in the Indian Ocean"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>India-Seychelles Relations Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the Indian PM\u2019s State Visit to Seychelles (27\u201329 June 2026), India and Seychelles <\/span><b>elevated <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">their <\/span><b>strategic partnership<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by signing multiple agreements.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The visit also marked <\/span><b>50 years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of diplomatic relations between the two countries and reinforced India&#8217;s <\/span><b>MAHASAGAR <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>India\u2019s Vision for the Indian Ocean<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Indian PM reiterated India&#8217;s vision of transforming the Indian Ocean into an &#8220;<\/span><b>Ocean of Opportunity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;, founded on:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maritime security and regional stability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sustainable economic prosperity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partnership based on mutual respect and trust rather than size or power<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shared responsibility for security, sustainability and development<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India emphasized that the Indian Ocean is a <\/span><b>shared strategic space<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, requiring collaborative action against both traditional and non-traditional security threats.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Major Outcomes of the Visit<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Expansion of strategic partnership:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across several sectors:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health and healthcare<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Education and skill development<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capacity building<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digital transformation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renewable energy<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sustainable development<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social infrastructure<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maritime security and defence<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both countries also reviewed progress under India&#8217;s Special Economic Package for Seychelles.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Key agreements (MoUs) signed:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several agreements were concluded in the fields of:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unified Payments Interface (UPI) implementation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agriculture<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Banking and Exim Bank cooperation<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shipping<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Space exploration<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capacity building<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extradition<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Line of Credit (LoC)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These agreements aim to <\/span><b>modernise Seychelles&#8217; economy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while enhancing India&#8217;s developmental partnership in the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Development assistance:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India announced a Special Economic Package worth USD <\/span><b>175 million<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, comprising USD 125 million (\u20b91,250 crore) rupee-denominated Line of Credit, and USD 50 million Grant Assistance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The package will support infrastructure development, food security, healthcare, vocational training, maritime security, and defence cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India reaffirmed that its development partnership remains demand-driven and aligned with Seychelles&#8217; national priorities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Maritime Security &#8211; Central Pillar of Bilateral Relations<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both countries reaffirmed maritime cooperation as the cornerstone of their partnership.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Areas of cooperation include<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Countering piracy, combating illegal fishing, tackling drug trafficking, addressing cross-border maritime crime, maritime surveillance, hydrography, and defence capacity building.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India further strengthened Seychelles&#8217; maritime capabilities through the refit of PS Zoroaster, and gifting of the <\/span><b>Fast Attack Vessel<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> PS Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These initiatives enhance maritime domain awareness and regional security in the Western Indian Ocean.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>MAHASAGAR Vision<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seychelles reaffirmed its special place in India&#8217;s MAHASAGAR vision.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The initiative seeks to promote collective maritime security, <\/span><b>blue economy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, disaster resilience, sustainable development, regional connectivity, and inclusive economic growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It represents an <\/span><b>evolution <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of India&#8217;s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine towards broader regional cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Other Highlights<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Parliamentary and diplomatic milestones:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PM Modi became the <\/span><b>first <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian PM to address the National Assembly of Seychelles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In his address, he highlighted shared democratic values, rule of law, people-centric governance, and the need for stronger parliamentary exchanges.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Regional and global significance:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The leaders exchanged views on major challenges facing the IOR, including piracy; illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime crime, and regional stability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The visit reinforced India&#8217;s role as a preferred security and development partner for Small Island Developing States (<\/span><b>SIDS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) in the Indian Ocean.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Other developments:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He received Seychelles&#8217; highest honour for environmental leadership\u2014&#8221;<\/span><b>Guardian of the Blue Horizon<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;\u2014recognising India&#8217;s contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable development.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seychelles announced its decision to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (<\/span><b>CDRI<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), strengthening cooperation on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>India-Seychelles Relations<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Overview:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Multifaceted, time-tested partnership:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Rooted in maritime security, historic kinship, and shared strategic interests in the Western Indian Ocean.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>People-to-people ties:\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indians have a long history in the archipelago, with the first group arriving as early as <\/span><b>1770<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, the vibrant Indian diaspora plays a vital role in the country&#8217;s socio-economic and professional landscape.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Joint exercises<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The two nations hold the biennial joint military exercise <\/span><b>LAMITYE<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which has been continuously running since 2001.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Historical support<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: India has a history of stepping in to protect Seychelles&#8217; sovereignty, notably deploying naval assets during a coup attempt in 1986 (Operation Flowers are Blooming).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Why Seychelles matters for India:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Strategic location <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in the Western Indian Ocean along key Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Critical partner in India&#8217;s maritime security architecture.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supports India&#8217;s Blue Economy and Indo-Pacific strategy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Important for <\/span><b>monitoring maritime threats <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(seaborne terrorism and piracy), ensuring regional stability and countering China&#8217;s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serves as a key partner in India&#8217;s development diplomacy towards <\/span><b>SIDS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The visit reaffirmed India&#8217;s commitment to a secure, inclusive, prosperous and rules-based Indian Ocean Region, while strengthening its position as a trusted partner for island nations in the Indo-Pacific.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><b>Source: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/pm-modi-in-seychelles-india-seeks-indian-ocean-as-ocean-of-opportunity-10761514\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>IE<\/b><\/a><b> |\u00a0<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mea.gov.in\/outoging-visit-detail?41371\/state_visit_of_prime_minister_to_seychelles_june_28_2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><b>MEA<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During the Indian PM\u2019s State Visit to Seychelles (27\u201329 June 2026), India and Seychelles elevated their strategic partnership by signing multiple agreements. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":110110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[5286,287,5369,99],"class_list":{"0":"post-110343","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-india-seychelles-relations","9":"tag-mains-article","10":"tag-upsc-curren-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-article","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110343"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110343\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":110351,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110343\/revisions\/110351"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}