This is the first visit of Sylvestre Radegonde to India as Seychelles Foreign Minister
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held a meeting with Seychelles Foreign Minister Sylvestre Radegonde and exchanged views on issues of bilateral importance and regional concerns. The Seychelles Foreign Minister is on a three-day (November 22-24) visit to India,
 
Writing a text on X, EAM Jaishankar said, “Welcomed FM Sylvestre Radegonde of Seychelles in New Delhi today. Had a wide-ranging conversation on our bilateral relations. Also exchanged views on regional concerns. Witnessed exchange of MoUs on Indian grant assistance for implementation of small development projects and cooperation in the field of youth and sports. Confident that our conversations today will further strengthen our cordial bilateral ties.”
 
India and Seychelles enjoy cordial bilateral relations buttressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘SAGAR’---Security and Growth for All in the Region.  Radegonde’s visit is expected to further strengthen ties between the two countries.
 
Seychelles along with Bangladesh is an observer of the Colombo Security Conclave, comprising Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, and Mauritius.
 
On July 12, 2023, Seychelles had participated in the 7th Deputy NSA level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, held in the virtual format.
 
India and Seychelles enjoy a historical cultural link which dates to the 18th century when a small group of five Indians arrived in the Island nation in 1770. Beginning of the twentieth century onwards, there was a constant flow of Indians, mostly from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and later from Gujarat, who came in as traders, labourers, construction workers and more recently as professionals.
 
The number of PIOs with Seychelles citizenship is estimated to be around 6000, which is significant in a country with a total population of about 100,000. The PIO community is visible in all walks of life and is well known for its professionalism and hard-work. They dominate the trading and construction sectors.
 
India and Seychelles also enjoy an elaborate architecture of defence and security cooperation that has deepened over the years with the growing piracy menace and other economic offences in the strategic Indian Ocean region.
 
In pursuance of the MOU on Hydrography signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country in March 2015, INS Darshak visited Seychelles from November 5 to December 19, 2015 to conduct hydrographic survey of Victoria Port and adjoining areas. 

Two patrol boats PS Topaz and PS Constant were gifted by India to Seychelles in 2005 and 2014 respectively. In 2016, India gifted a fast interceptor boat to Seychelles.
 
India also gifted two Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to Seychelles, first in 2013 and the second in June 2018. India gifted and installed six coastal surveillance radar systems in Seychelles in 2015 enabling better coastal security for Seychelles.
 
A 45-member Indian Army team participated in the 8th India-Seychelles biennial joint military exercise “LAMlTYE-8” conducted in Mahé (February 24 to March 3, 2018).
 
INS Darshak carried out hydrographic and bathymetric surveys of Port Victoria, Praslin and La Digue from December 30, 2019 to January 18, 2020. India handed over Fast Patrol Vessel SCG PS Zoroaster to Seychelles Coast Guard in April, 2021.
 
Two ceremonial guns and ammunition were also gifted on request of the Government of Seychelles in May, 2022. 

INS Trishul and its marching contingent proudly participated in the National Day celebration of Seychelles in June 2023
 
Capacity building is an important aspect of bilateral cooperation between India and Seychelles. More than 1% of the total population of Seychelles have benefitted from various training courses under the ITEC programme.
 
In the year 2022-23, a total of 21 civilian and 34 defence personnel have gone to India from Seychelles for training in different ITEC programmes.