Seychelles vital for India’s security architecture: Expert

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated that India and Seychelles share a strong and vital partner in the Indian ocean neighbourhood at a virtual summit that also saw India gift a Fast-patrol vessel worth Rs 100 crore to the African Archipelago nation.

New Delhi: India on Thursday gifted a fast patrol vessel worth Rs 100 crore to the African Archipelago nation - Seychelles at a virtual summit being presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the new President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan.

Both sides jointly e-inaugurated the new Magistrates Court Building in Seychelles, which is India’s first major civil infrastructure project in Seychelles built with grant assistance. The Magistrates’ Court is a state-of-the-art building that will substantially enhance the capacity of the Seychelles judicial system and aid in better delivery of judicial services to the people of Seychelles.

During the virtual high-level talk, Modi reiterated that India and Seychelles share a strong and vital partner in the Indian ocean neighbourhood. “Seychelles is central to India’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ –Security and Growth for all in the region”, he added.

India’s Island diplomacy has gained momentum and holds a significant place in the country’s foreign policy. In 2015, during his first visit to Seychelles, Modi pointed out that India “attaches paramount importance to strengthening relations with this region, which is vital for India's security and progress”. Ever since then, India has kept the island nations on its priority list.

An expert opines that India realizes the importance of island countries like Seychelles for India's security architecture.

“To reinforce itself at the IOR, India has expanded its military capacity from the neighbourhood to the whole area—from the Malacca Strait to the waters off the African coasts. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased pressure from China, India will engage more with the littoral states of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles,” Namrata Hasija, Research Associate with the Centre for China Analysis and Strategy, told ETV Bharat.

“The Indian Ocean will stay one of the world's most essential areas, with more than 75% of the world's sea exchange and 50 per cent of day to day worldwide oil moves through the area. Accordingly, India will like to keep a steady and quiet Indian Ocean, with a concentration towards financial and military modifications hindering the threatening Chinese danger,” she pointed out.

Hasija said that China has also made steady growth in the country by construction of a new media broadcasting facility and the La Gogue Dam Project constructed by Sinohydro Group Ltd. “India realizes the importance of island countries like Seychelles for India's security architecture. And thus, it is strengthening its infrastructure,” she added.

This is the first-ever interaction between the two leaders after Ramkalawan won the October 2020 elections in Seychelles. The island nation has been an important part of India’s foreign policy for the Indian Ocean region. India has time and again reiterated that the nation is committed to strengthening the maritime security of Seychelles.

Furthermore, Ramakalawan said, “In little less than 2 months, we will be commemorating 45th anniversary of the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between Seychelles and India. The support we have received from India has contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Seychelles.”

Besides handing of a fast patrol vessel today, India has earlier gifted similar vessels to Seychelles in 2005, 2014 and 2016.

The virtual event also saw the handing over of 10 High Impact Community Development Projects (CDPs) implemented by the High Commission of India in collaboration with local bodies, educational and vocational institutions. India also handed over a 1 MW Solar Power Plant to Seychelles.

The inauguration of these key projects demonstrates India’s privileged and time-tested role as a reliable partner of Seychelles for meeting its infrastructural, developmental and security requirements and is a testimony to the deep and friendly ties between the people of India and Seychelles.