New Delhi, Oct 24 (NationPress) India's Vice President, C P Radhakrishnan, is set to embark on a two-day journey to Seychelles starting from October 26, to represent the Government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of Patrick Herminie, the newly elected President of Seychelles.

This visit is taking place at the invitation of the Seychelles government, where Vice President Radhakrishnan will extend India's heartfelt congratulations to Herminie and reaffirm the enduring, strong ties between the two nations.

Seychelles is a vital partner under India's Vision MAHASAGAR and demonstrates India's dedication to the Global South. The trip highlights India’s profound commitment to enhancing and broadening its collaboration with Seychelles,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted.

India's interaction with Seychelles is marked by historical ties and ongoing support for its security. The India-Seychelles relationship is characterized by friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation.

The MEA notes that in 1770, a small group of five Indians arrived in Seychelles as plantation workers, alongside seven African slaves and 15 French colonists, marking the first inhabitants of the islands.

Regular trade connections enabled the migration of an Indian trading community seeking better opportunities after reaching a saturation point in East Africa.

Diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles were established post-independence in 1976. On June 29, 1976, when Seychelles gained its freedom, a contingent from the Indian Naval Ship, INS Nilgiri, participated in the Independence Day celebrations. The Indian Mission was established in 1979 in Victoria, with the High Commissioner also accredited to Seychelles from Dar-es-Salaam. The first resident High Commissioner was appointed in 1987, and Seychelles opened its resident mission in New Delhi in early 2008.

During Prime Minister Modi's visit to Seychelles in March 2015, marking the first visit by an Indian PM in 34 years, four key agreements/MoUs were signed, including the launch of the Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CRS) Project, the announcement of a second Dornier aircraft gift to Seychelles, and a three-month visa waiver for Seychelles nationals traveling to India.