Daijiworld Media Network - Victoria
Victoria, Aug 11: India on Tuesday handed over five laser radial boats to the Seychelles Defence Force, fulfilling an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State Visit to the Indian Ocean island nation in June.
India’s High Commissioner to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, handed over the boats to the Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles Defence Force.
“Strengthening Maritime Partnership India, Seychelles. Following the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Byenveni Modi his State Visit to Seychelles, five laser radial boats were handed over today by the High Commissioner of India to the Chief of Defence Forces, Seychelles Defence Force. The boats will help build seamanship skills of SDF personnel,” the High Commission of India in Seychelles said in a post on X.
“The delivery reflects India’s steadfast commitment to strengthening the capacities and capabilities of the SDF and further deepens the enduring India-Seychelles defence and maritime partnership,” it added.
The handover comes amid increased India-Seychelles cooperation in maritime security and capacity building.
On Saturday, the Indian High Commission announced that members of the Seychelles Police had travelled to Kochi to attend a Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Course at the Coast Guard Training Centre.
The course is being conducted from August 10 to 21, 2026, under the Colombo Security Conclave, as part of efforts to strengthen capacity-building cooperation in maritime security.
“Capacity Building Cooperation India, Seychelles in the area of maritime security. CPL Stephanie Agathe, CPL Dwayne Fred, PC Ricky Fred, PC Vince Hollanda and PC Johannes Servina from the Seychelles Police head to Kochi for attending the Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Course at the Coast Guard Training Centre from 10-21 Aug 2026, under the Colombo Security Conclave. Wishing them the very best!” the High Commission said on X.
Prime Minister Modi paid a three-day State Visit to Seychelles in June at the invitation of President Patrick Herminie. He had last visited Seychelles in 2015, while President Herminie undertook a State Visit to India in February this year.
Modi had said his visit to Seychelles resulted in “substantive outcomes” that would further strengthen ties between the two countries.
He also expressed confidence that the next 50 years of India-Seychelles relations would be defined by innovation, sustainability and shared responsibility.