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The traditional warm and friendly relationship between India and Seychelles entered a new phase as India announced a Special Economic Package of USD 175 million for island national.

On Monday the 9th of February 2026, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi along the visiting President of Seychelles stated that bilateral ties between the two countries go “far beyond mere diplomatic engagement”.

Addressing a joint presser in New Delhi, Modi said “For centuries, the waves of the Indian Ocean have connected our peoples. Along its shores, trade flourished, cultures intertwined, and traditions of trust grew stronger.”

Announcing the USD 175 million Special Economic Package for Seychelles, the Prime Minister said development cooperation had been the cornerstone of India–Seychelles relations. “Development partnership has been a strong foundation of India–Seychelles relations. All our efforts have been guided by Seychelles’ priorities and needs,” he said.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of India’s broader engagement with island nations in the Indian Ocean, where New Delhi has sought to position itself as a reliable development partner while enhancing maritime cooperation and regional security.

Both the countries formally adopted a Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL) and announced and signed a series of key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements covering health, maritime cooperation, digital transformation, capacity-building and cultural exchange.

In all seven MoUs were signed, including on pharmacopoeia cooperation in the health sector; technical and scientific collaboration between meteorological authorities; a Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026-2030; cooperation on population-scale digital solutions for digital transformation; ocean observation, maritime scientific research and data sharing; capacity-building training programmes for Seychelles civil servants; and procurement of food items.

India also announced the refit of patrol ship PS Zoraster for the island nation;s Coast Guard on a gratis basis, the gifting of 10 ambulances, the provision of 1,000 metric tonnes of grains and lentils under the economic package, the gifting of 10 utility vehicles and five Laser Radial class boats with spares.