PM Modi Honoured at Seychelles National Day; India Announces UPI Partnership and ₹1,250 Crore Credit Line
**Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Seychelles' 50th Independence Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour, marking a significant milestone in India-Seychelles relations. During the visit, both nations signed several important agreements, including the rollout of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a ₹1,250 crore Line of Credit (LoC), and new cooperation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and space technology.**
PM Modi Attends Seychelles' Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the National Day celebrations commemorating the 50th anniversary of Seychelles' independence. His presence as the Guest of Honour made history, as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this distinction during the country's national celebrations.
The three-day state visit, held from June 27 to June 29, reflects the growing partnership between India and Seychelles. The celebrations highlighted five decades of Seychelles' independence and the strong diplomatic relationship shared by both nations.
Sharing his thoughts on social media, PM Modi congratulated the people of Seychelles on their Golden Jubilee and praised the country's remarkable progress over the past 50 years. He reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting Seychelles as a trusted development partner and expressed confidence that the friendship between the two nations would continue to grow.
India Extends ₹1,250 Crore Line of Credit
One of the major outcomes of the visit was the signing of an umbrella **Line of Credit (LoC) worth ₹1,250 crore**. The financial assistance will be provided in Indian Rupees and will be used to fund priority infrastructure and development projects across Seychelles.
The agreement is expected to strengthen economic cooperation while supporting the island nation's long-term development goals.
India to Introduce UPI in Seychelles
India also signed a **Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)** to facilitate the introduction of the **Unified Payments Interface (UPI)** in Seychelles.
The agreement between the **National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)** and the **Central Bank of Seychelles** aims to promote faster, secure, and digital cross-border payment solutions. The initiative is expected to improve financial connectivity and encourage digital transactions between the two countries.
New Agreements on Security and Space Cooperation
Along with economic initiatives, India and Seychelles signed an **Extradition Treaty** to enhance cooperation in combating transnational crime.
The two countries also agreed to work together on the **peaceful exploration of outer space**, opening new opportunities for collaboration in space technology and scientific research.
Seychelles Seeks India's Support in AI and Cybersecurity
During bilateral discussions, Seychelles requested India's assistance in establishing dedicated **Artificial Intelligence (AI)** and **Cybersecurity Centres**. The island nation also expressed interest in acquiring an **Advanced Light Helicopter** from India.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the proposals and assured that India would examine them positively through future discussions, reflecting New Delhi's commitment to expanding cooperation in emerging technologies and defence.
Seychelles' Role in India's MAHASAGAR Vision
Indian officials highlighted Seychelles' strategic importance in India's **MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions)** vision and its broader engagement with countries of the Global South.
The partnership continues to focus on maritime security, sustainable development, digital innovation, and regional stability across the Indian Ocean.
PM Modi Receives 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon' Honour
During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the **Guardian of the Blue Horizon** award by Seychelles. The honour recognizes his leadership in promoting climate action, sustainable ocean governance, and strengthening international cooperation for protecting marine ecosystems.
Key Highlights
* PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to attend Seychelles' National Day as Guest of Honour.
* India announced a **₹1,250 crore Line of Credit** for development projects.
* India and Seychelles signed an **MoU to introduce UPI** in the island nation.
* Both countries signed an **Extradition Treaty** to combat transnational crime.
* Cooperation will expand in **Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Space Technology, and Defence**.
* PM Modi received the **Guardian of the Blue Horizon** award for his contribution to sustainable development and marine conservation.
Conclusion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Seychelles marks another important step in strengthening India's strategic partnership in the Indian Ocean region. With new agreements covering digital payments, infrastructure financing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, defence, and space cooperation, both countries are deepening their relationship and opening new opportunities for long-term collaboration.
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