Modi's Strategic Visit to Seychelles: Strengthening Ties in the Indian Ocean

New Delhi, India Jul 21, 2026 ALN: Modi in Seychelles

By Dr. D.K. Giri

(Prof of Practice, Institute of Management Bhubaneshwar)

An island of 125,000 people drew the Indian Prime Minister for three days at the end of June. Was it just a goodwill visit or more than meets the eye? One thing that is vindicated by this visit is that in diplomacy, small is not trivial. Geography makes some islands large for geopolitics. That reminds us of the famous phrase by Fritz Schumacher, “Small is beautiful.” The purpose of the visit was to be the Guest of Honour at the 50th birthday of Seychelles. Again, in statecraft, symbolism is strategic. Let us examine these two assumptions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Victoria, Seychelles from June 27-29, 2026, as the Guest of Honour at their Golden Jubilee National Day. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to attend the National Day and address their National Assembly. He was also conferred with the honour of the country: Guardian of the Blue Horizon, the first recipient of what is called a new Presidential Distinction. This award was curated after Seychelles scrapped its old national award system in June. The new award recognises “leadership in sustainability and ocean governance.” Modi called it a tribute to “all those countries fighting climate change.”

Let us cast our glance beyond the honours and the parade in which army and navy contingents marched: two navy ships, INS Tarkash and INS Ikshak, docking at Port Victoria. Nine MoUs were signed covering: extradition treaty, digital banking, health, agriculture, space, new national hospital, UPI deployment agreement, AI, and cybersecurity collaboration. India offered a $175 million Special Economic Package consisting of $125 million in concessional credit plus $50 million grant. The money is meant for social housing, green mobility, maritime security, education, health, and digital infrastructure. New Delhi also handed over a fast patrol vessel, five high-speed boats, six ambulances, and ten utility vehicles.

The message in this financial gesture is, “the Indian Ocean does not separate India and Seychelles, it connects us.” Also, “we meet not as strangers, but as old friends.” And, “security in the Indian Ocean remains central to our relationship.” So, it is clear that the visit was not just goodwill. It is goodwill with hardware, loans, and lines of credit. This makes a policy on Seychelles. New Delhi is well aware that Seychelles comprises 115 islands, 459 sq km of land, and 125,000 people. But its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is 1.3 million sq km, larger than India’s.

In addition, the strategic importance of the island can be seen in its location: it sits near busy shipping lanes; close to the Mozambique Channel – a key route for oil from the Gulf to Asia; and monitors East-West trade. It is close to China’s base in Djibouti. Maritime domain awareness: Seychelles anchors India’s radar chain across the Indian Ocean – with Mauritius and Sri Lanka. It feeds data to Gurugram’s Information Fusion Centre. Without Seychelles, India has a blind spot. China check: India wants close ties without a base, whereas China wants ports and bases. Modi’s new doctrine, MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, is SAGAR’s successor. Seychelles holds a special place in it.

Seychelles’ President Herminie endorsed the above, stating, “Security in the Indian Ocean remains central to our relationship. We reaffirmed Seychelles’ special place in India’s MAHASAGAR vision.” From the Indian point of view, Seychelles becomes maritime eyes and ears watching 1.3 million sq km for India – helping in countering piracy, drugs, illegal fishing, etc. It is also a blue economy partner of India, a test case for MAHASAGAR, ‘Ocean of opportunity’ – solar, hospital, and training centre. India has had links with the island since 1770, and the Indian-origin community is a “living bridge.”

It is in order that we recall India’s offer to build the Assumption Island. Is the deal dead, dormant, or diplomatic? In 2015, India and Seychelles agreed to develop facilities on Assumption Island – airstrip, jetty, housing for the coastguard, etc. The idea was to help Seychelles secure its EEZ near the Mozambique Channel. In 2018, the revised deal was signed. But Seychelles’ Parliament blocked it. The Opposition said it undermined the country’s sovereignty. Then, President Faure said that the project “will not move forward,” the underlying fear being the establishment of an Indian military base.

Fast forward to 2026, President Herminie during his visit to India in February said, “No discussions on leasing Assumption Island to India for a military base.” Foreign Secretary Misri said that India’s stance was “guided by the priorities of the host government.” He added that New Delhi “remained open to reviving it if Victoria wished.” New Delhi’s line appears to be “you do not need a base to influence an island’s foreign policy. You need its gratitude and its debt.” So for now, the strategy seems to be, radar, ships, training, UPI, hospital – not a base. Thus, India builds capacity, not camps. That could be smarter. Bases may create backlash, whereas patrol vessels create goodwill.

Seychelles’ perspective on India can be seen in the following elements of bilateralism. Economic: $175 million package, UPI, space, AI, cyber, new training institute, and hospital. Defence: Coastguard vessel PS Zoroaster was refitted by Indian companies, PS Lespwar was a gift from India. Dornier and radar are already in Seychelles. The joint exercises called Lamitye now consist of three services. Diplomatic: President Herminie was in Delhi in February this year, three months later Prime Minister Modi lands on the island. Global South: Seychelles joins the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. It backs India’s quest for Global South leadership, especially on climate action.

Finally, Modi did not go to Seychelles simply for cake-cutting. He was there because the Indian Ocean is no longer “simply a route between East and West.” It is “an economic engine, store for critical minerals, corridor for data cables, and an arena for great-power rivalry.” India cannot match China on the economic front, dollar-to-dollar. So, it follows what Chanakya taught, “befriend the small to balance the big.” Chanakya is the Indian counterpart of the Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, the author of The Art of War.

Moreover, in the Indian Ocean, New Delhi does not want to own islands. It wants islands to choose India. And when 125,000 people welcome our Prime Minister with their highest new honour, inviting him to address Parliament, and dock our warships for their National Day – that is a choice they make. Next time, if any observer comments, “foreign policy is for big countries,” they should be advised to watch Seychelles. From the Indian point of view, Seychelles remains an abiding strategic interest.