Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday, 2 September held talks with Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta and her parliamentary delegation in New Delhi, with both sides focusing on deepening bilateral parliamentary exchanges and cooperation across capacity building, Digital Parliament, Artificial Intelligence (AI), technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, and healthcare. The meeting marks the latest high-level institutional contact between the two democracies in a year of significant diplomatic milestones.

What Was Discussed

The two Speakers reviewed existing frameworks for parliamentary cooperation and explored avenues to expand them. Discussions centred on how India's experience with digital governance and AI-assisted legislative tools could support Seychelles' own parliamentary modernisation efforts. Renewable energy and healthcare were also identified as priority sectors for deeper engagement, reflecting both countries' shared developmental concerns in the Indian Ocean region.

Birla expressed confidence that sustained parliamentary engagement would inject fresh momentum into the broader bilateral partnership. He described the discussions as a reaffirmation of the 'enduring India-Seychelles friendship, rooted in shared democratic values.'

What Om Birla Said

Sharing his remarks after the meeting, Birla wrote: 'It was a pleasure to welcome H.E. Ms. Azarel Ernesta, Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, and the distinguished Parliamentary Delegation to the Parliament of India. Our discussions reaffirmed the enduring India-Seychelles friendship, rooted in shared democratic values, deepening parliamentary exchanges and cooperation in capacity building, Digital Parliament, AI and technology, healthcare, infrastructure and renewable energy.'

He also highlighted the symbolic significance of the timing, noting: 'As we celebrate 50 years of Seychelles' Independence and 50 years of diplomatic relations, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South. Seychelles remains an important partner in advancing India's Vision MAHASAGAR in the Indian Ocean region.'

Diplomatic Context: Modi's June Visit

The parliamentary meeting builds on a wave of high-level engagement earlier this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a three-day State Visit to Seychelles in June at the invitation of President Patrick Herminie — his first visit to the island nation since 2015. President Herminie had himself visited India in February this year, underscoring the frequency and depth of recent bilateral contacts.

During his June visit, Modi held bilateral talks with Herminie, attended Seychelles' golden jubilee National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, paid tribute at Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Peace Park in Victoria, and offered prayers at the Arulmigu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple in Victoria. He was also conferred the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' — Seychelles' highest distinction — in recognition of his leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

India's Strategic Stake in Seychelles

According to the Indian High Commission in Seychelles, India's engagement with the island nation is characterised by longstanding support for its security and development. Seychelles occupies a strategically critical position in the Indian Ocean, making it a key node in India's broader Vision MAHASAGAR framework — an initiative aimed at deepening India's maritime partnerships across the region.

This is the second major bilateral engagement between the two countries within a single calendar year, reflecting a deliberate effort to institutionalise the partnership beyond periodic state visits. As both nations mark 50 years of diplomatic ties, the parliamentary track is emerging as a durable complement to executive-level diplomacy.