Seychelles and India discussed ways to deepen cooperation in maritime trade, blue economy sectors and sustainable development at an Indo-Seychelles Business Roundtable in Mumbai, attended by President Patrick Herminie and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Seychelles maintains a partnership with India that is rooted in history and reinforced by strong people-to-people links, with maritime exchanges that predate modern diplomacy. The relationship now spans development support, capacity building, education, healthcare, maritime security and disaster response, Sonowal noted.
Seychelles remains an important partner in India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which promotes economic cooperation, sustainability and security across the Indian Ocean Region.
Recent years have brought fresh energy to Seychelles–India relations, with both countries aligned in their view of the Indian Ocean as a space for peace, stability and shared prosperity, Sonowal said.
For Seychelles, India’s experience in port development, logistics, maritime services and renewable energy offers practical support for national priorities. Mumbai’s financial and fintech environment can also help advance innovation and financial inclusion.
Opportunities for collaboration with Seychelles are broad, covering fisheries, aquaculture, port development, marine infrastructure, ocean renewable energy and marine research. Tourism, hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, finance, education and skills training also present strong areas of interest, he said.
Representatives of Indian firms active in infrastructure, ports, fisheries, health, education, fintech and automobiles joined Seychellois counterparts at the roundtable.
Mumbai’s extensive maritime and financial capabilities provide Seychelles with a useful gateway to expand trade and ocean-based industries with India, Sonowal added.
As a city long shaped by sea trade and enterprise, Mumbai offered an appropriate setting for discussions between Seychelles and India as two maritime nations connected by geography and shared development goals.
India’s current economic trajectory, supported by reforms and major infrastructure growth, creates a favourable environment for deeper engagement with partners such as Seychelles, Sonowal said.
Rapid expansion in Indian port capacity, growth in the seafaring workforce and rising cruise activity present natural areas where Seychelles can find partnership opportunities. India’s young and skilled workforce will remain central to that cooperation.
Strong political trust, improving connectivity and a common maritime outlook position Seychelles and India to raise their economic engagement to a higher level, Sonowal said.
Businesses in Seychelles and India should work together to translate this proximity into durable partnerships that benefit both sides, he added.
Trade between Seychelles and India already includes pharmaceuticals, food, textiles, engineering goods, construction materials and vehicles, while Indian companies continue to support infrastructure, energy and service projects in the island nation. Direct air links between Mumbai and Mahé have further strengthened tourism and business travel.
source: maritimafrica.com
