Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Seychelles National Day celebrations yesterday. He is the first Prime Minister of India to attend the national day celebrations of Seychelles. This was the golden jubilee celebration, marking 50 years of Seychelles’ independence. PM Modi acknowledged the remarkable journey of the people of Seychelles and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Seychelles’ development journey.
In a post on the social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, “A wonderful celebration of National Day in Seychelles.” He added, “I thank President Dr. Patrick Herminie, the government, and the people of Seychelles for the invitation to be part of this special occasion.”
In another post on X, PM Modi wrote, “It is an honour to participate in the Seychelles National Day celebrations marking the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence. This occasion was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the remarkable journey of the people of Seychelles over the past five decades.”
He stated, “India is proud to be a close friend and partner in Seychelles’ development journey. Our bond has been further strengthened by our shared values and strong people-to-people ties. I am confident that our friendship will continue to flourish in the future.”
Seychellois soldiers parachuted from aircraft carrying the national flag, and the people celebrated the country’s 50th independence anniversary with great enthusiasm.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Mauritius Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam were also present at the event.
On Saturday, PM Modi held discussions with the President of Seychelles, Dr. Patrick Herminie. On Sunday, he was conferred with Seychelles’ prestigious honour, the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon,’ in recognition of his commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India and Seychelles share a long-standing partnership rooted in historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties. As a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean region, Seychelles holds a special place in India’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and in our outreach to the Global South.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated, “This visit reaffirms the strong and cherished friendship between India and Seychelles and aims to strengthen bilateral ties across all sectors.”
The Ministry noted that the celebrations coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. To mark this milestone, an Indian contingent participated in the National Parade held during Seychelles’ Golden Jubilee independence celebrations.
The Indian contingent included personnel from the Assam Rifles, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Navy marching band, reflecting the enduring defence partnership between the two nations. In keeping with tradition and the significance of the occasion, Indian Naval Ships Tarkash and Ikshak docked at Port Victoria. The Prime Minister’s participation in the celebrations underscores the deep and long-standing friendship between the two countries.
