President of Seychelles arrives in India on first State visit
Victoria, Seychelles | February 5, 2026, Thursday @14:20 in National » Diplomacy | By: Betymie Bonnelame Editor English News | Views: 248
President Herminie was received at the Chennai International Airport by Minister M. Mathiventhan. (State House)
The President of Seychelles, Patrick Herminie, arrived in India on Thursday morning on an official state visit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Veronique Herminie, were received at the Chennai International Airport by Minister M. Mathiventhan. Also present were members of the diplomatic corps, including the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, and the High Commissioner of Seychelles to India, Lalatiana Accouche.
State House said the visit “reaffirms the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries and reflects a shared vision to broaden cooperation across key strategic sectors. India’s partnership with Seychelles, founded on trust and mutual respect, continues to flourish in areas including maritime security, economic development, climate action, and regional cooperation within the Indian Ocean region.”
During the visit, the President will hold high-level bilateral talks with the Prime Minister, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu; the Vice-President of India, Chandrapuran Ponnusami Radhakrishnan; and senior members of the Indian Government.
Discussions will focus on strengthening collaboration in trade and investment, health, tourism, climate change, and sustainable development, as well as on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The programme also includes engagements with leaders of selected Indian states, visits to cultural, environmental, and health institutions. These engagements aim to promote practical cooperation and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two countries.
President Herminie is also accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Ministers and senior officials from key government portfolios. The delegation also includes representatives from the private sector, reflecting Seychelles’ integrated approach to diplomacy, which aligns foreign policy objectives with economic growth, investment promotion, and employment creation.
The last President of Seychelles to visit India was Danny Faure in June 2018.
India and Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, have enjoyed a long friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1976.
