President of Seychelles Patrick Herminie arrived in India on Thursday on a State Visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit, which will continue until February 10, is his first trip to India since assuming office in October 2025 and comes as the two countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.
The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation across sectors. During his stay, President Herminie will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Modi on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. He will also travel to other cities to attend business events aimed at strengthening economic engagement.
Welcoming the President Herminie, the Ministry of External Affairs posted on X:
“Commemorating 50 years of longstanding and multifaceted India-Seychelles bilateral ties. Warm welcome to President Dr. Patrick Herminie of Seychelles as he arrives in Chennai for his first State visit to India.”
President Herminie was sworn in as the sixth President of Seychelles at a ceremony held at Unity Stadium in Victoria in October 2025. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan represented India at the swearing-in and later met President Herminie at the State House, conveying greetings on behalf of the Government and people of India. Both leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region and the Global South. Vice President Radhakrishnan also met Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay to discuss various aspects of bilateral ties.
India and Seychelles established diplomatic relations after Seychelles gained independence on June 29, 1976. A contingent from the Indian Naval Ship INS Nilgiri participated in the Independence Day celebrations that year. India opened its mission in Victoria in 1979, initially with the High Commissioner based in Dar-es-Salaam and concurrently accredited to Seychelles, and appointed its first resident High Commissioner in 1987. Seychelles opened its resident mission in New Delhi in 2008.
Describing Seychelles as a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region, the MEA said the country holds a special place in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — as well as India’s broader commitment to the Global South.
According to the MEA, the visit, which follows Vice President Radhakrishnan’s visit to Seychelles in October 2025, is expected to give fresh momentum to wide-ranging cooperation and deepen people-to-people ties. It added that the India–Seychelles partnership remains rooted in shared heritage, culture and longstanding interpersonal connections.
