Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Seychelles on 27 June 2025 on a State visit, attending the island nation's Golden Jubilee National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour — the first such visit by an Indian prime minister in recent years. The trip comes at the invitation of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie and is expected to yield several bilateral agreements across defence, digital infrastructure, and the blue economy.

Key Agenda and Bilateral Talks

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to hold formal talks with President Herminie to review the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Modi is also set to address the Seychelles National Assembly and interact with members of the Indian diaspora on the island.

India's High Commissioner to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, confirmed ahead of the visit that the two countries are expected to sign several agreements and announce key outcomes spanning Artificial Intelligence (AI), cyberspace, cybersecurity, marine science, conservation, and the blue economy — areas described as 'emerging' in the bilateral relationship.

India's Vision MAHASAGAR and Seychelles' Strategic Role

The MEA underscored that Seychelles holds a 'special place' in India's Vision MAHASAGAR — an acronym for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — which frames New Delhi's broader Indian Ocean strategy. 'India and Seychelles share a longstanding partnership rooted in shared historical, cultural and people-to-people ties. As a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean region, Seychelles holds a special place in India's Vision MAHASAGAR and our commitment to the Global South,' the MEA statement read.

This framing signals that the Modi government views Victoria not merely as a small island state but as a strategic node in its Indo-Pacific architecture — particularly relevant as China's presence in the Indian Ocean continues to expand.

Digital Public Infrastructure and Economic Support

A centrepiece of the visit is India's commitment to supporting Seychelles' digital transformation. During President Herminie's six-day State visit to India in February 2025, both sides agreed to work closely on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital payments, tailored to Seychelles' needs. The joint framework, titled the 'Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages' (SESEL), reaffirmed India's role as a reliable partner in Seychelles' national development agenda, with emphasis on sustainability, defence, maritime security, capacity building, and inclusive growth.

Recent Diplomatic Momentum

The visit builds on a dense schedule of high-level engagement. In April 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met his Seychelles counterpart, Barry Faure, on the sidelines of the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, reiterating New Delhi's support for Victoria amid its current economic challenges and welcoming progress on a Special Economic Package. In October 2024, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar visited Seychelles, further cementing the momentum in bilateral ties.

With Modi now addressing the National Assembly and signing fresh agreements, the relationship appears to be graduating from traditional development assistance toward a more technology-forward and security-anchored partnership — one that will be closely watched across the Indian Ocean region.