India handed over a new, state-of-the-art, Made in India, Fast Patrol Vessel to the Seychelles Coast Guard on Thursday evening. The vessel will help Seychelles protect its maritime resources and help it in anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan held their first virtual meeting today and jointly inaugurated a number of Indian projects in the east African island nation. Modi addressed the Seychelles' President as “son of India, with his roots in Gopalganj district of Bihar.”

Modi added: “Seychelles is central to India's vision of 'SAGAR' – 'Security and Growth for All in the Region'. India is honoured to be a partner of Seychelles in the development of its security capabilities and in meeting its infrastructural and developmental needs.” He handed over the New Magistrates’ Court Building in Seychelles on which work was carried on even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to talk about the vexing issue of climate change which poses a threat to island nations. Modi said: “I am happy that today we are handing over a one-MegaWatt solar power plant in Seychelles built with India's assistance. All these projects reflect the development priorities of Seychelles, which is of growth with care for nature.”

Modi also inaugurated over ten High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) which have been implemented by the Indian High Commission in collaboration with local bodies, educational and vocational institutions.

The prime minister highlighted how India supported the east African nation by providing essential medicines and Made-in-India Covid-19 vaccines. Modi said that now India will stand by Seychelles in its economic recovery as well.

India has been reaching out to countries in the Indian Ocean with a view to strengthening security in the region. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishanker had visited Seychelles in November 2020, immediately after Ramkalawan took charge as President in October 2020. Modi too visited Seychelles in 2015 – the first Prime Ministerial visit from India in 33 years.