India has supported Seychelles extensively in maritime defense. How important is this to your national priorities?

As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) with a disproportionately large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Seychelles faces complex challenges in safeguarding its maritime space. As indicated earlier, India’s assistance through various components such as provision of patrol vessels, technical support, joint maritime exercises enhances Seychelles’ maritime domain awareness and enforcement capabilities. This support contributes to national efforts to combat transnational maritime threats such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy and trafficking, environmental hazards, and maritime accidents, among others.

Such cooperation is integral to the preservation of Seychelles’ territorial integrity and the sustainable governance of its marine resources. It is anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for a secure, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.
It is also well known that Seychelles has prioritized the development of a sustainable blue economy as a cornerstone of its national development strategy. The support in marine science, ocean renewable energy, aquaculture, and maritime innovation complements Seychelles’ efforts to diversify its economy while ensuring ecological stewardship. Initiatives such as the Blue Technology Incubator and joint research programs reflect a forward-looking collaboration that would enhance economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

For Capacity Building and Institutional Development, through training programs, technical exchanges, and scholarships under different initiatives by Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), ICCR, among others, Seychelles benefits in the efforts in developing Seychelles’ maritime human resources. This aligns closely with Seychelles’ broader policy focus on institutional capacity strengthening and long-term self-reliance.

Strengthening Regional and Multilateral Engagement: India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision and its inclusive approach to regional maritime governance position Seychelles as a key stakeholder in the Indian Ocean Region. This partnership enhances Seychelles’ role in multilateral platforms and contributes to a more cooperative, rules-based maritime order, aligned with Seychelles’ foreign policy and strategic interests.
In one word, India’s support in the maritime sector is not only complementary to Seychelles’ national development agenda but also instrumental in enabling the country to meet present and emerging challenges in the maritime domain.

This enduring and strategic partnership reflects the shared commitment of both nations to fostering regional stability, sustainable development, and cooperative ocean governance.