New Delhi: India and Seychelles on Saturday discussed ways to expand cooperation in maritime trade, the blue economy, and sustainable development during an Indo–Seychelles Business Roundtable held in Mumbai.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s capabilities in port-driven growth, logistics systems, maritime services, and renewable energy align closely with Seychelles’ development needs. He added that Mumbai’s strong financial and fintech ecosystem could play a role in supporting innovation and improving access to financial services.
The roundtable was attended by Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles, along with senior officials and business representatives from both countries.
Sonowal said the relationship between India and Seychelles is deeply rooted in history, noting that maritime connections between the two countries existed long before formal diplomatic ties.
He said the partnership has steadily evolved into a close and friendly relationship based on shared democratic values, pluralism, and mutual respect. Cooperation, he added, extends across development assistance, capacity building, education, healthcare, maritime security, and disaster response.
He further said India’s engagement with Seychelles is guided by the Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region vision, which focuses on mutual growth, sustainability, and security across the Indian Ocean Region.
The minister noted India’s approach towards island nations in the Indian Ocean has gained renewed momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose emphasis on neighbourhood-first policy, ocean-based cooperation, and inclusive growth has shaped India’s regional strategy.
He noted that both India and Seychelles view the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace, stability, and shared prosperity, according to an official statement.
Highlighting areas of potential collaboration, Sonowal said the blue economy offers wide-ranging opportunities, particularly in fisheries, aquaculture, port development, and marine research. He also pointed to tourism and hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, fintech, education, and skills development as promising sectors for deeper engagement.
The business roundtable saw participation from Indian companies operating in infrastructure, ports, fisheries, healthcare, education, fintech and the automobile sector.
Sonowal said Mumbai’s long-standing role as a port city, combined with its logistics networks, maritime services, shipbuilding capacity and financial institutions, makes it a natural hub to advance India–Seychelles cooperation in maritime trade and ocean-related industries.
