Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Seychelles President Patrick Herminie on Monday at Hyderabad House. President Herminie paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also called on the Seychelles President and expressed appreciation for his support of India’s Vision MAHASAGAR. President Herminie arrived in New Delhi on Sunday after completing official engagements in Chennai and Mumbai as part of his ongoing State Visit to India.

The visit, which will continue until February 10, marks President Herminie’s first trip to India since assuming office in October 2025 and coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles. During his visits to Chennai and Mumbai, he met key stakeholders from sectors such as governance, industry, coastal management, and healthcare to deepen bilateral cooperation.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted Seychelles’ strategic importance to India, describing it as a key maritime neighbour and an important partner in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR, reflecting New Delhi’s commitment to cooperation with the Global South. While in New Delhi, President Herminie is also expected to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Modi, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and discussing regional and global issues of mutual interest.

In Chennai, President Herminie, accompanied by Seychelles Health Minister Marvin Nolan Fanny, met SIMS Hospital Chairman Ravi Pachamuthu to discuss a long-term healthcare collaboration roadmap. The discussions covered areas such as super-speciality medical outreach, hospital infrastructure development, digital health, workforce support, affordable medicines, and expansion of dialysis services.

The Seychelles President met Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and participated in the India–Seychelles Business Roundtable, where discussions centred on investment opportunities, maritime trade, the blue economy, and sustainable development, with the aim of further strengthening ties between the two countries.