India-Seychelles ties to expand into AI, blue economy ahead of Modi's state visit
Synopsis
PM Modi's 27–29 June state visit to Seychelles is more than a diplomatic courtesy call — it marks a deliberate expansion of India's Indian Ocean strategy into AI, cybersecurity, and blue economy, with a flurry of agreements expected. India's envoy says both nations are 'laying the foundations for the next 50 years' of partnership, signalling that the Indian Ocean is now a front-line theatre for India's strategic priorities.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi will visit Seychelles from 27 to 29 June at the invitation of President Dr Patrick Herminie — his first state visit to the island nation.
Both sides are set to sign agreements spanning AI , cybersecurity , marine sciences , blue economy , and defence .
High Commissioner Rohit Rathish described bilateral ties as 'dynamic and excellent,' noting a sharp intensification over the past nine months .
India and Seychelles already hold MoUs on ocean sciences via INCOIS, Hyderabad and on weather forecasting with the Seychelles Meteorological Authority .
Defence ties include India's gifting of Dornier aircraft and patrol ships , real-time intelligence sharing, and training of Seychellois personnel in India.
The visit is framed within India's Vision Mahasagar — a collective stewardship framework for the Indian Ocean Region .
India and Seychelles are set to deepen their bilateral partnership across emerging frontiers including Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyberspace, cybersecurity, marine sciences, and the blue economy, according to India's High Commissioner to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, speaking on Friday, 26 June ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Victoria, Seychelles from 27 to 29 June. The envoy described the current state of bilateral ties as 'dynamic and excellent', noting that the relationship has gained significant momentum over the past nine months.
What Modi's Visit Will Cover
PM Modi is travelling to Seychelles at the invitation of President Dr Patrick Herminie for a formal state visit. During the trip, he will hold bilateral talks with President Herminie to review the full spectrum of cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues. He is also scheduled to address the National Assembly of Seychelles and meet members of the Indian diaspora.
High Commissioner Rathish confirmed that both sides are expected to sign 'a number of outcomes and agreements across all sectors' during the visit. The agreements will span defence and security, ocean sciences, marine conservation, weather forecasting, and the newly emerging areas of AI and cybersecurity.
A Relationship That Has Intensified Rapidly
The groundwork for Modi's visit was laid through a series of high-level exchanges. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan attended the swearing-in ceremony of President Herminie in October last year. This was followed by a state visit by President Herminie to India in February 2025, during which he visited the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management in Chennai. Modi's visit now caps what Rathish called 'an intense period of bilateral relations which has deepened political trust.'
'The best is yet to come,' Rathish said, adding that both nations are 'laying the foundations for the next 50 years of our partnership.'
Blue Economy and Ocean Sciences: A New Frontier
One of the most significant emerging areas of cooperation is the blue economy. Rathish described it as 'a very exciting and new area that we are exploring together with great momentum.' Both countries already have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) linking the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad with the Seychelles Meteorological Authority on ocean sciences, observation, and a separate MoU on weather forecasting.
Modi's discussions with President Herminie are expected to advance joint research initiatives and marine expedition prospects, with a focus on safeguarding the biodiversity of the Indian Ocean. Marine spatial planning, coastal management, and conservation will remain core threads of bilateral engagement.
Defence, Security, and Vision Mahasagar
Rathish underlined that defence and security ties between the two countries are 'better than ever.' India has previously gifted Dornier aircraft and patrol ships to Seychelles, and Seychellois defence personnel continue to train in India. The two sides also exchange real-time intelligence to counter shared threats including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal fishing.
The envoy situated the bilateral relationship within India's broader Vision Mahasagar framework — PM Modi's vision for collective stewardship of the Indian Ocean region — which encompasses trade, capacity building, and maritime security. 'Seychelles is a very key partner for India in Vision Mahasagar,' Rathish said, citing shared history, geography, and centuries-old cultural ties as the foundation of the relationship.
What to Watch Next
The specific agreements to be signed during the 27–29 June visit are expected to be announced once Modi and President Herminie conclude their bilateral talks. Observers will watch whether the AI and cybersecurity frameworks translate into operational MoUs or remain aspirational. The visit is also being closely tracked as a signal of India's strategic intent in the Indian Ocean Region, where competition for influence among major powers has intensified in recent years.
Point of View
And their inclusion signals that New Delhi is seeking to lock in digital and strategic alignment before rival frameworks take hold. The real measure of this visit will not be the number of MoUs signed, but whether the blue economy and AI frameworks come with timelines, funding commitments, and implementation mechanisms — or remain aspirational language in a joint statement.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is PM Modi visiting Seychelles and what is the purpose?
PM Modi is visiting Seychelles from 27 to 29 June 2025 on a state visit at the invitation of President Dr Patrick Herminie. He will hold bilateral talks, address the National Assembly of Seychelles, and meet the Indian diaspora, with a focus on signing agreements across defence, ocean sciences, AI, and the blue economy.
What new areas of cooperation are India and Seychelles exploring?
India and Seychelles are looking to expand cooperation into Artificial Intelligence, cyberspace, cybersecurity, marine sciences, conservation, and the blue economy. These are in addition to existing ties in defence, ocean observation, and weather forecasting.
What is Vision Mahasagar and how does Seychelles fit into it?
Vision Mahasagar is PM Modi's framework for collective stewardship of the Indian Ocean Region, covering trade, capacity building, and maritime security. Seychelles is described as a 'key partner' in this vision, given the two countries' shared geography, history, and cultural ties.
What defence cooperation exists between India and Seychelles?
India has gifted Dornier aircraft and patrol ships to Seychelles, trains Seychellois defence personnel in India, and exchanges real-time intelligence with Seychelles defence forces to counter drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean.
What MoUs do India and Seychelles already have in place?
The two countries have an MoU linking the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad with the Seychelles Meteorological Authority on ocean sciences and observation, and a separate MoU on weather forecasting. Additional agreements are expected to be signed during Modi's June 2025 visit.
