PM Modi hands over patrol vessel Lespwar to Seychelles, deepening maritime ties
Synopsis
India handed a Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel to the Seychelles Coast Guard on 27 June — the latest in a string of maritime capability transfers that cement New Delhi's role as the Indian Ocean's preferred security partner. With ambulances, utility vehicles, and laser boats also in the package, this visit is as much about strategic geography as it is about friendship.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi handed over the Made-in-India FPV Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard on 27 June 2025 in Victoria .
The transfer package also includes six ambulances , 10 utility vehicles , and five laser radial boats for the Seychelles Defence Forces .
This is Modi's second state visit to Seychelles; President Dr.
Patrick Herminie had visited India earlier in 2025.
India and Seychelles have maintained diplomatic relations since 1976 , spanning infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security cooperation.
The handover aligns with India's SAGAR doctrine of acting as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 27 June handed over the Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard during a ceremony at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base in Victoria, marking a significant step in the two nations' growing defence and maritime security partnership. The handover came during Modi's second state visit to Seychelles, where he is attending the country's golden jubilee National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
What Was Handed Over
Beyond the FPV Lespwar, Prime Minister Modi also transferred six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles, and five laser radial boats to the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). The combined package is aimed at bolstering Seychelles' maritime surveillance capabilities and strengthening its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) monitoring priorities. The FPV itself is a domestically manufactured vessel, underscoring India's push to position its defence industry as a credible export partner.
What PM Modi Said
'The transfer of the Fast Patrol Vessel Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard marks another important milestone in the growing India-Seychelles partnership in defence and maritime security. It is also the latest in a series of capability-building initiatives that reflect India's steadfast commitment to supporting the security priorities of Seychelles,' Modi stated in a post on X. He added: 'India remains proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Seychelles as a trusted partner, working together to deepen our enduring friendship and strengthen our collective maritime capabilities.'
Diplomatic Context
This is Prime Minister Modi's second state visit to Seychelles. Earlier in 2025, Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie undertook a state visit to India, reinforcing the momentum of bilateral engagement. India and Seychelles have maintained diplomatic relations since Seychelles attained independence in 1976, and the relationship has deepened considerably across infrastructure, healthcare, education, and community development. The Office of the President of Seychelles described India as 'one of Seychelles' closest and most valued development partners.'
Strategic Importance in the Indian Ocean
The handover fits within India's broader SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, which frames New Delhi as a net security provider across the Indian Ocean Region. Seychelles' location — astride key shipping lanes in the western Indian Ocean — makes its coast guard capabilities strategically relevant. This is notably not the first such transfer; India has previously supplied patrol vessels and equipment to Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka under similar frameworks, reflecting a consistent pattern of maritime capacity-building with island neighbours.
What Comes Next
Modi's visit is expected to yield additional bilateral agreements covering trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. The golden jubilee National Day provides a high-visibility platform for both sides to signal the depth of the partnership to regional and international observers. Further capability-building initiatives under the India-Seychelles defence cooperation framework are anticipated in the coming months.
Point of View
And each vessel India transfers is also a signal to Beijing about whose orbit these nations sit in. The inclusion of Made-in-India equipment is equally pointed — New Delhi is using these transfers to build an export track record for its domestic defence industry. The real question is whether capability transfers translate into operational interoperability, or whether they remain symbolic gestures that look better in joint statements than in joint patrols.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FPV Lespwar handed over to Seychelles?
The FPV Lespwar is a Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel transferred by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Seychelles Coast Guard on 27 June 2025. It is designed to bolster Seychelles' maritime surveillance and Exclusive Economic Zone monitoring capabilities.
What else did India hand over to Seychelles during PM Modi's visit?
Along with the FPV Lespwar, India handed over six ambulances, 10 utility vehicles, and five laser radial boats to the Seychelles Defence Forces. The full package is aimed at strengthening both maritime and general operational capacity.
Why is PM Modi visiting Seychelles?
PM Modi is in Seychelles as the Guest of Honour for the country's golden jubilee National Day celebrations. The visit also serves to deepen bilateral ties across defence, trade, and people-to-people cooperation, and marks his second state visit to the island nation.
How long have India and Seychelles maintained diplomatic relations?
India and Seychelles have maintained diplomatic relations since Seychelles attained independence in 1976 — nearly five decades of ties spanning infrastructure, healthcare, education, and maritime security cooperation.
How does this handover fit into India's broader foreign policy?
The transfer aligns with India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, under which New Delhi positions itself as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. India has made similar vessel and equipment transfers to Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, reflecting a consistent pattern of maritime capacity-building with island neighbours.
