Modi, Seychelles President plant Coco de Mer under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'
Synopsis
Prime Minister Modi took India's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative global, planting the iconic Coco de Mer — a tree so rare it appears on Seychelles' coat of arms — alongside President Herminie. He also fed Jonathan, the world's oldest living land animal, at the same botanical garden. The visit, timed to Seychelles' Golden Jubilee National Day, signals India's deepening Indian Ocean diplomacy.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Dr.
Patrick Herminie planted a Coco de Mer sapling on 27 June at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden .
The ceremony was held under India's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, marking its international extension.
The Coco de Mer is native exclusively to Seychelles and produces the largest seed and heaviest fruit in the plant kingdom.
Modi also fed Jonathan , a 194-year-old tortoise recognised as the world's oldest living land animal .
Modi attended as Guest of Honour at Seychelles' Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations, with a Kutch dance performed at his airport welcome.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie on Saturday, 27 June jointly planted a Coco de Mer sapling at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden in Victoria, as part of India's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) initiative. The ceremony underscored the two nations' shared commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
The Coco de Mer: Why This Sapling Matters
The Coco de Mer is a palm tree found exclusively in the Seychelles and holds the distinction of producing the largest seed in the plant kingdom as well as the largest and heaviest fruit on Earth. The tree is so deeply woven into Seychellois identity that it features prominently on the country's coat of arms.
'A very special ceremony, highlighting a shared commitment to a greener planet! At the Seychelles National Botanical Garden, took part in the Joint Tree Plantation Ceremony with President Dr. Patrick Herminie. We planted the iconic Coco de Mer, which is unique to Seychelles,' Modi wrote on X. He added: 'India and Seychelles share a common resolve to safeguard biodiversity, promote environmental stewardship and leave behind a greener, healthier planet for future generations.'
Jonathan, the World's Oldest Land Animal
On the sidelines of the botanical garden visit, Modi was seen feeding large tortoises, including Jonathan — a 194-year-old giant tortoise recognised as the world's oldest living land animal. The moment drew widespread attention, illustrating the garden's rare conservation significance beyond its botanical heritage.
A State Welcome and Cultural Connect
Modi arrived in Seychelles on Saturday afternoon as the Guest of Honour at the country's Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations. President Herminie, along with several senior ministers and dignitaries, personally received him at the airport — a gesture reflecting the warmth of bilateral ties.
The welcome included cultural performances, notably a dance from Kutch, performed by members of the Indian diaspora. Modi acknowledged the moment on X: 'Amazing cultural connect! The welcome at the airport in Seychelles included a dance from Kutch. The manner in which our diaspora has preserved and celebrated culture from different parts of India is appreciable.'
Strengthening India-Seychelles Bilateral Ties
The visit is part of a broader diplomatic engagement, with the tree plantation ceremony serving as a symbolic anchor for the two countries' environmental and strategic partnership. This comes amid India's growing outreach across the Indian Ocean Region, where Seychelles holds considerable strategic importance. The 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, which encourages planting trees as a tribute to mothers, has now taken on an international dimension through such bilateral ceremonies. The next steps in India-Seychelles cooperation are expected to be outlined during formal bilateral talks during Modi's visit.
Point of View
Where China has steadily expanded its footprint. Modi's attendance as Guest of Honour at the Golden Jubilee is a high-visibility diplomatic investment. What remains to be seen is whether the ceremonial warmth translates into concrete agreements on maritime security, connectivity, or climate financing — the harder deliverables that outlast any tree-planting photo.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative?
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (One Tree in Mother's Name) is an Indian environmental campaign that encourages citizens — and now foreign dignitaries — to plant trees as a tribute to their mothers. PM Modi extended the initiative internationally during his Seychelles visit on 27 June by planting a Coco de Mer sapling with President Herminie.
What is the Coco de Mer tree and why is it significant?
The Coco de Mer is a palm tree found exclusively in Seychelles, internationally recognised for producing the largest seed in the plant kingdom and the largest and heaviest fruit on Earth. It is so culturally important to Seychelles that it features on the country's coat of arms.
Why did PM Modi visit Seychelles?
PM Modi visited Seychelles on 27 June to attend the country's Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour and to strengthen bilateral cooperation between India and Seychelles. The visit included the joint tree plantation ceremony and formal diplomatic engagements.
Who is Jonathan, and why did his appearance during Modi's visit draw attention?
Jonathan is a 194-year-old giant tortoise housed at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden and is recognised as the world's oldest living land animal. PM Modi was seen feeding Jonathan during his visit to the garden, drawing widespread attention to the animal's remarkable conservation story.
What cultural moment marked Modi's arrival in Seychelles?
PM Modi was welcomed at the Seychelles airport with cultural performances, including a traditional dance from Kutch performed by members of the Indian diaspora. Modi noted the moment on X, praising the diaspora for preserving and celebrating regional Indian culture abroad.
