Modi in Seychelles: Why is this tiny island country in Africa a strategic giant for India?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began a landmark three-day State Visit to Seychelles from June 27 to June 29.

Modi is attending the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Seychelles' National Day as the Guest of Honour, while India and Seychelles are simultaneously commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations since the island nation gained independence in 1976.

The visit also follows Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie's State Visit to India in February this year.

The State Visit is expected to reinforce one of India's longest-standing maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean.

Although Seychelles occupies only a tiny fraction of the world's landmass, its location, maritime jurisdiction and political importance have ensured that it features prominently in New Delhi's Indian Ocean strategy.

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Another milestone is set to be added during the visit, with Modi becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles.

Before departing for Seychelles, Modi in a statement said, "I also look forward to interacting with the vibrant Indian community in Seychelles, who have been nurturing the special friendship between India and Seychelles for generations, and serving as a living bridge between our two nations."

Why Seychelles matters so much to India

Measured purely by geography or population, Seychelles appears to be one of the smallest countries with which India maintains close diplomatic relations. Yet in strategic terms, it occupies an importance far greater than its physical size would suggest.

The island nation consists of 115 islands spread across the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR). Rather than existing as a single compact landmass, these islands are dispersed over a vast maritime space, placing Seychelles at the crossroads of some of the world's busiest sea routes.

These Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) connect East Africa, West Asia, South Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific. Every day, commercial vessels carrying energy supplies, manufactured goods, food products and raw materials traverse these maritime corridors.

Ensuring that these routes remain secure has become an increasingly important objective for countries that depend on uninterrupted global trade, including India.

Although the country's land area is relatively limited, Seychelles exercises sovereign rights over an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) exceeding 1.3 million square kilometres. This maritime jurisdiction includes critical ocean resources and extensive waters requiring surveillance, law enforcement and environmental protection.

India's partnership with Seychelles has consequently focused on helping strengthen the island nation's ability to safeguard this enormous maritime domain while simultaneously contributing to stability across the western Indian Ocean.

The significance of Seychelles has grown further as the Indian Ocean has emerged as one of the world's principal theatres of competition.

Over the past decade, major powers have increasingly viewed the region as central to their long-term strategic interests. Expanding naval deployments, growing investments in ports and commercial infrastructure, and increasing competition for maritime influence have transformed the Indian Ocean into an area of heightened diplomatic and military attention.

Although neither India nor Seychelles publicly presents their relationship as being directed against any specific country, the changing strategic landscape provides an important backdrop to the partnership.

China's expanding economic presence, infrastructure investments, access to ports and growing naval activities across the Indian Ocean have inevitably increased the strategic value of India's long-standing ties with countries such as Seychelles.

Rather than pursuing influence through large-scale infrastructure competition, India has consistently sought to position itself as a dependable development partner that supports national priorities, strengthens local institutions and enhances domestic capacities.

This approach has included defence cooperation with development assistance, technical expertise and long-term institution-building.

From historical links to diplomatic partners

The relationship between India and Seychelles predates the establishment of formal diplomatic relations by nearly two centuries.

Historical records indicate that the first documented Indians arrived in Seychelles in 1770. A small group of five Indians landed on the islands as plantation workers alongside seven Africans and 15 French colonists, becoming among the earliest recorded inhabitants of the archipelago.

Over time, India's connections with Seychelles continued to strengthen.

During the British colonial era, Seychelles was administered from the Bombay Presidency for a period. Regular shipping routes between India and Seychelles encouraged the movement of goods, commodities and traders across the Indian Ocean.

Commercial exchanges also facilitated the migration of Indian merchants, many of whom arrived after commercial opportunities in East Africa had become increasingly limited. These historical interactions laid the foundation for a community that would eventually become one of the most influential segments of Seychellois society.

The modern diplomatic relationship formally began after Seychelles secured independence on June 29, 1976.

India was among the countries closely associated with the island nation's transition to independence. Personnel from the Indian Naval Ship INS Nilgiri participated in Seychelles' Independence Day celebrations in 1976, beginning a tradition that has continued ever since, with Indian military contingents regularly taking part in the country's National Day commemorations.

India established its diplomatic mission in Victoria in 1979. Initially, the Indian High Commissioner stationed in Dar-es-Salaam was concurrently accredited to Seychelles before India appointed its first resident High Commissioner in 1987.

Seychelles, in turn, established its resident diplomatic mission in New Delhi in early 2008.

Over the decades, the relationship has remained characterised by close political understanding, regular high-level exchanges and cooperation on regional and international issues.

Although bilateral trade has traditionally remained modest because of Seychelles' relatively small domestic market, successive governments in both countries have steadily broadened cooperation in security, governance, development and capacity building.

Modi's visit builds on decades of engagement

Modi's current visit is not taking place in isolation. Instead, it represents another important chapter in a relationship that has steadily expanded over several decades.

One of the most significant milestones came in March 2015, when Modi travelled to Seychelles on an official visit. That visit was historic because it marked the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the island nation in 34 years since Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's visits in 1976 and 1981.

The 2015 visit produced several important outcomes. India and Seychelles signed four agreements and Memorandums of Understanding aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

Modi also inaugurated the Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CSRS) Project, an initiative that has since become one of the central pillars of maritime cooperation between the two countries.

India also announced the gifting of a second Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Seychelles, significantly enhancing the country's maritime monitoring capabilities.

Another people-centric announcement during that visit was the introduction of a three-month gratis visa for Seychellois nationals travelling to India. The current State Visit seeks to build upon those earlier initiatives while also carrying forward the momentum generated by Herminie's visit to India in February earlier this year.

The February visit resulted in several new understandings between the two governments and underscored the intention to elevate cooperation beyond traditional defence ties into emerging sectors such as digital public infrastructure, climate resilience, renewable energy and sustainable development.

From SAGAR to MAHASAGAR: How India's maritime vision has evolved

One of the defining themes of Modi's visit is the continued evolution of India's approach towards the Indian Ocean.

When Modi introduced the SAGAR doctrine — Security and Growth for All in the Region — in 2015, the framework primarily centred on ensuring collective maritime security, strengthening regional partnerships and encouraging cooperation among countries sharing the Indian Ocean.

Over the past decade, however, both the regional and global strategic landscape have undergone significant transformation. Maritime security today is closely intertwined with issues such as climate change, digital connectivity, resilient supply chains, renewable energy, disaster preparedness, food security and sustainable economic development.

Reflecting these changes, India has gradually expanded its maritime vision through MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.

Rather than limiting engagement to naval cooperation, the framework seeks to integrate security with development by promoting partnerships across multiple sectors that directly affect the long-term stability and prosperity of countries in the Indian Ocean.

For India, Seychelles has emerged as one of the clearest examples of how this broader approach can be implemented.

The bilateral relationship now extends well beyond defence cooperation to encompass renewable energy, healthcare, digital governance, fisheries, education, tourism, climate resilience, technology partnerships and capacity building.

Maritime security remains the foundation of ties

For more than two decades, India has consistently supported Seychelles in strengthening its ability to monitor and protect one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the western Indian Ocean.

Given the country's EEZ of over 1.3 million square kilometres, maintaining surveillance across such an extensive maritime area presents significant challenges for a small island nation with limited resources.

India has sought to bridge this gap through a wide range of defence and security initiatives.

One of the most important has been the establishment of Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems across Seychelles. These radar stations enhance Maritime Domain Awareness by enabling authorities to monitor vessel movements across surrounding waters in real time.

Improved surveillance supports both countries in tracking maritime activity, responding to security incidents and maintaining greater awareness of developments in the western Indian Ocean.

India has also supplied several maritime assets to the Seychelles People's Defence Forces (SPDF), including interceptor boats, fast patrol vessels and Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft.

These platforms enable Seychelles to conduct patrols across its vast maritime territory while strengthening its ability to respond to illegal fishing, smuggling, trafficking and other unlawful activities at sea.

India has also regularly provided defence training programmes, technical assistance and professional exchanges aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of the SPDF.

Under bilateral arrangements, Indian Navy ships periodically conduct hydrographic surveys of Seychelles' ports and surrounding waters. The resulting data contributes to updated nautical charts, safer navigation, improved maritime infrastructure planning and better management of marine resources.

The western Indian Ocean has witnessed challenges ranging from piracy and maritime terrorism to narcotics trafficking and illegal fishing. Seychelles has played an active diplomatic role by chairing regional anti-piracy contact groups, while India has worked closely with the island nation in supporting wider regional efforts to counter these threats.

The partnership has only been further strengthened through the SESEL Joint Vision, which seeks to deepen collaboration in maritime domain awareness, intelligence sharing, coordinated maritime operations and efforts to maintain a free, open and rules-based Indian Ocean.

Digital diplomacy emerges as a new pillar

India's experience in building Digital Public Infrastructure has increasingly attracted attention from countries seeking affordable, scalable and inclusive governance solutions.

Platforms such as Aadhaar, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and DigiLocker have demonstrated how digital systems can improve public service delivery while expanding financial inclusion.

India has increasingly presented these platforms as global public goods capable of supporting partner countries as they modernise governance systems.

Within the India-Seychelles partnership, digital governance now occupies an important place in the future cooperation agenda. The SESEL Joint Vision identifies several areas where collaboration can expand, including digital identity systems, electronic payments, e-governance, cybersecurity and institutional capacity building.

Climate resilience and sustainable development

As a Small Island Developing State, Seychelles faces multiple climate-related challenges, including rising sea levels, coastal vulnerability and environmental sustainability concerns.

India has gradually incorporated climate resilience into its broader engagement with island nations through initiatives that support renewable energy and sustainable development.

One of the major outcomes of Herminie's visit to New Delhi was India's announcement of a Special Economic Package worth $175 million. The package represents one of the largest recent development commitments made by India to Seychelles.

It comprises a $125 million Rupee-denominated Line of Credit alongside a direct grant of $50 million. Unlike many traditional development packages that primarily finance physical infrastructure, this initiative places considerable emphasis on future-oriented sectors.

The funding is intended to support the development of Seychelles' Digital Public Infrastructure, including secure digital payment systems modelled on India's Unified Payments Interface.

The package will also contribute towards local climate resilience initiatives and renewable energy projects implemented under the framework of the International Solar Alliance led by India.

Trade and economic cooperation continue to expand

Although Seychelles' relatively small population naturally limits the scale of bilateral commerce, economic engagement has continued to register steady growth. Recent trade figures indicate that bilateral commerce increased by nearly 15 per cent.

Between April 2024 and February 2025, India's exports to Seychelles were valued at approximately $68.64 million, while imports from Seychelles stood at around $8.69 million. Total bilateral trade during the period amounted to approximately $72.92 million.

India's exports to Seychelles cover a broad range of essential products, including rice, processed food, cement, textiles, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and transport vehicles. These exports support several sectors of Seychelles' economy while reflecting India's role as an important trading partner.

Beyond merchandise trade, Indian companies have maintained a visible presence in Seychelles for decades.

Bank of Baroda has operated a branch in Victoria since 1978, making it one of the oldest Indian commercial institutions in the country and contributing to banking services and trade financing.

Bharti Airtel has invested more than $25 million in Seychelles since entering the market in 1998, helping expand telecommunications and mobile connectivity across the island nation.

Indian automobile manufacturers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland also occupy an important place in Seychelles' public transportation network, supplying a substantial proportion of buses operating across the country.

A people-to-people partnership

Over the decades, successive waves of Indian traders and settlers gradually established themselves across the islands, particularly during the colonial era when maritime links between India and Seychelles became increasingly active.

Today, citizens of Indian origin constitute one of the country's most influential communities.

There are approximately 15,000 Indians and people of Indian origin in Seychelles. This includes about 6,000 to 10,000 Indo-Seychellois citizens (primarily from Gujarati and Tamil communities) and over 9,000 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) on employment permits.

Over generations, they have become fully integrated into Seychellois society while making significant contributions to commerce, retail, construction, medicine, public administration and governance.

The community has served as an enduring bridge between the two countries, helping preserve strong societal ties irrespective of changes in political leadership.

Modi is expected to interact with members of this vibrant Indian community during his visit, recognising the important role they have played in strengthening bilateral friendship across generations.

The historical warmth between the two societies has often complemented official diplomacy, giving the bilateral relationship a level of continuity that extends beyond government-to-government engagement.

With inputs from agencies