Modi Delivers $175 Special Economic Package to Seychelles
From 27 to 29 June 2026, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Seychelles. PM Modi was the Chief Guest for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) celebrations of Seychelles’ Independence Day on 29 June 2026. African Union Chair Mahoud Youssouf and Mauritian PM Navin Ramgoolam also attended the Seychelles’ National Day Ceremony at the Unity Stadium.
In line with the #MAHASAGAR vision, India’s PM Narendra Modi and Seychelles’ President Patrick Herminie witnessed the signing of 19 cooperation legal instruments, covering cooperation in social housing, healthcare and pharma, digital economy, blue economy, energy transition, space technology and maritime security. India provided a Special Economic Package (#SEP) worth USD 175 million, of which USD 50 million is a grant and USD 125 million is a concessional loan.
To enhance cooperation on #MaritimeSecurity in the Indian Ocean, India invited Seychelles to join the Colombo Security Conclave. Similarly, Seychelles formally joined the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Seychelles and India also participate in maritime exercises such as LAMITYE and MILAN. On the occasion, Modia was bestowed with the special honorary title of ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ by Seychelles.
As usual, Modi paid particular attention to the Indian Diaspora in Seychelles. The population of Seychelles is only 130,000, of which 6,000 are Persons of Indian Origin (#PIO), while another 9,000 are working on diverse projects in Seychelles. In Victoria, Modi took the time to visit the Indian Temple of Arulmigu Navasakthi Vinayagar and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in the Peace Park.
India donated one 52-meter Fast Patrol Vessel LESPWAR and 5 Laser Radial Boats to enhance the surveillance of Seychelles’ 1.4-million square kilometers Exclusive Economic Zone (#EEZ). In addition, Modi ceremonially presented 6 advanced life support ambulances and 10 heavy-duty utility vehicles. In addition, India gifted 8,500 tonnes of cement and 500 tonnes of rice.
Seychelles intends to employ part of the financing to build a brand new hospital. Furthermore, Seychelles plans to take advantage of the availability of low-cost pharmaceutical generics from India to bring down the cost of medicines for its people. As is customary, PM Modi also had the privilege to address the Seychelles’ National Assembly and also met with the Leader of the Opposition Bernard Georges.
On 28 June 2026, PM Modi and President Herminie held a joint press conference to summarize the outcomes of the visit. Modi underscored that the Indian Ocean connects, rather than separates India and Seychelles and recalled the bonds between the two peoples can be traced back to the arrival of 5 Indians who arrived in Seychelles in 1770. Chipping in, Herminie also believes that the Indian Ocean indeed presents ‘an ocean of opportunities’, referring to the vast EEZ of Seychelles.