PM Modi receives Guard of Honour at State House, Seychelles
Synopsis
PM Modi's second State Visit to Seychelles went well beyond ceremony — a 'Made in India' Fast Patrol Vessel, six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles, and five laser radial boats were handed over to bolster Seychelles' maritime security, signalling India's growing strategic footprint in the Indian Ocean under its Vision MAHASAGAR framework.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi received a Guard of Honour at State House, Victoria on 28 June , welcomed by President Patrick Herminie .
On 27 June , Modi handed over a 'Made in India' Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) PS LESPWAR , six ambulances , 10 utility vehicles , and five laser radial boats to Seychelles.
The handover is framed under India's Vision MAHASAGAR to strengthen Indian Ocean security and bilateral defence ties.
The two leaders planted a sapling of the rare Coco de Mer palm at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden .
Modi attended Seychelles' Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations as Guest of Honour — his second State Visit to the island nation.
18 members of the Seychellois Indian diaspora from Kutch, Gujarat performed the Nrutya folk dance in Modi's honour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 28 June received a formal Guard of Honour at State House in Victoria, Seychelles, as part of his ongoing State Visit to the archipelago nation. Seychelles President Patrick Herminie personally welcomed the Prime Minister, with the two leaders exchanging warm greetings before the ceremonial inspection.
Guard of Honour and Cultural Welcome
Following the playing of both nations' national anthems, Modi and President Herminie received a military salute during the Guard of Honour inspection. The formal ceremony was followed by a vibrant cultural programme, during which Modi witnessed a traditional Seychellois moutya performance by local dancers.
In a particularly symbolic moment, 18 members of the Seychellois Indian diaspora — originally from Kutch, Gujarat — performed Nrutya, an authentic folk dance from the region, celebrating shared cultural heritage and the spirit of independence. The dual performance underscored the deep people-to-people ties between the two countries.
'Made in India' Defence Assets Handed Over
On Saturday, 27 June, during the first day of his State Visit, Modi handed over a suite of 'Made in India' assets to strengthen Seychelles' maritime security. These included the Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) PS LESPWAR, six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles, and five laser radial boats. The handover ceremony took place at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base in Victoria, in the presence of President Herminie.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted in a post on X: 'Together as partners. Stronger as one. In a special gesture, PM Narendra Modi handed over the Made in India Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) PS LESPWAR to President Dr. Patrick Herminie. The FPV will contribute to strengthening Seychelles' maritime surveillance and EEZ patrol capabilities.' The MEA added that the handover was 'guided by India's Vision MAHASAGAR,' reinforcing bilateral defence cooperation and stability across the Indian Ocean region.
Botanical Garden Visit and Golden Jubilee Celebrations
On the sidelines of the official engagements, the two leaders jointly planted a sapling of the rare Coco de Mer palm at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden — a gesture widely seen as symbolic of the enduring and growing bilateral relationship.
Modi arrived in Seychelles on Saturday afternoon as the Guest of Honour at the country's Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations, marking a significant diplomatic milestone. This is his second State Visit to Seychelles. Earlier this year, President Herminie had undertaken a State Visit to India, further cementing the two nations' strategic partnership.
India-Seychelles Strategic Partnership
The visit reflects India's deepening engagement with Indian Ocean island nations under its Vision MAHASAGAR framework, which prioritises maritime security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity. Seychelles, with its strategically located Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is a key partner in India's broader Indo-Pacific outreach. Analysts note that the transfer of a Fast Patrol Vessel and supporting assets represents a tangible upgrade in Seychelles' coastal defence capabilities, with India positioned as the primary security partner in the region.
Point of View
A rare palm sapling, and a folk dance by the Kutchi diaspora are the soft-power scaffolding around a harder strategic message: India is Seychelles' primary defence partner in the Indian Ocean. The transfer of a Fast Patrol Vessel under the 'Made in India' banner is not charity; it is influence-building in a region where China has been steadily expanding its maritime presence. Vision MAHASAGAR gives India a doctrinal label for what is essentially a blue-water neighbourhood policy, and Seychelles — with its vast EEZ — is a critical node. The question is whether these asset transfers translate into durable basing or logistics access arrangements, which would be the real strategic prize and which neither side has publicly confirmed.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi visit Seychelles?
PM Modi visited Seychelles on 27-28 June as the Guest of Honour at the country's Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations, and to strengthen bilateral defence and strategic ties. This is his second State Visit to the island nation.
What did India hand over to Seychelles during PM Modi's visit?
India handed over a 'Made in India' Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) PS LESPWAR, six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles, and five laser radial boats to Seychelles on 27 June. The assets are intended to boost Seychelles' maritime surveillance and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) patrol capabilities.
What is India's Vision MAHASAGAR?
Vision MAHASAGAR is India's strategic framework for deepening cooperation with Indian Ocean nations, focusing on maritime security, economic ties, and regional stability. The defence handover to Seychelles was explicitly framed under this vision by the Ministry of External Affairs.
What cultural events took place during PM Modi's Seychelles visit?
Modi witnessed a traditional Seychellois moutya dance performance, followed by a Nrutya folk dance performed by 18 members of the Seychellois Indian diaspora originally from Kutch, Gujarat. The two leaders also planted a rare Coco de Mer palm sapling at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden.
How significant is the India-Seychelles relationship?
India and Seychelles share a robust defence and strategic partnership, with Seychelles being a key partner in India's Indo-Pacific outreach given its strategically located EEZ in the Indian Ocean. Earlier this year, President Herminie visited India, and Modi's return visit underscores the growing depth of the bilateral relationship.
