NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday departed for New Delhi after concluding a three-day state visit to Seychelles, during which India and the island nation signed nine agreements, including an extradition treaty, rolled out the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and announced a Rs 1,250 crore line of credit for priority development projects.Modi, who visited Seychelles from June 27 to June 29 at the invitation of President Patrick Herminie, also announced a special economic development package worth $175 million before emplaning for New Delhi.Before his departure from Victoria, the Prime Minister met President Herminie and exchanged warm greetings.The visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles and the island nation’s 50th Independence Day celebrations, where Modi attended as the Guest of Honour, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the distinction.Sharing his thoughts on social media platform X, Modi said, “Honoured to participate in the National Day celebrations of Seychelles, marking the Golden Jubilee of the nation’s Independence. The occasion was a fitting tribute to the remarkable journey of the Seychellois people over the past fifty years.”He added, “India is proud to stand alongside Seychelles as a trusted friend and partner in its development journey. Our partnership continues to grow stronger with shared values and closer people-to-people ties. I am confident our friendship will grow even further in the times to come.”During the visit, PM Modi also became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the National Assembly of Seychelles.Briefing reporters in Victoria, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said India and Seychelles had concluded an umbrella line of credit agreement worth Rs 1,250 crore to finance priority development projects in the island nation.”The two sides have concluded an umbrella line of credit agreement which will be extended in rupees and amounts to Rs. 1250 crore. It will be used to support priority development projects in Seychelles,” Misri said.The two countries also signed an extradition treaty to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the peaceful exploration of outer space.”The two sides have also signed an extradition treaty aimed at combating transnational crime and a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in exploration of outer space for peaceful purposes,” Misri added.India’s National Payments Corporation of India and the Central Bank of Seychelles also signed an agreement to introduce India’s Unified Payments Interface in the island nation.Seychelles further sought India’s assistance in establishing artificial intelligence and cyber security centres, besides requesting support for procuring an advanced light helicopter.According to Misri, PM Modi welcomed the proposals and assured Seychelles that India would consider them positively.”The Prime Minister welcomed these proposals and immediately signalled that India would look into these proposals and take them forward with a very positive frame of mind. So the two sides will engage in further discussions on these new proposals that have been received from the Seychelles side,” he said.Misri described Seychelles as an important partner in India’s MAHASAGAR vision and its broader engagement with the Global South.He also noted that the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” award conferred on Modi reflected his leadership on climate action and the protection of the marine environment.
