India-Seychelles Relations: Diaspora And Strategic Cooperation
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Bilateral, Regional, and Global Groupings and Agreements, involving India and/or affecting India’s interests, Indian Diaspora
Overview
- News in Brief
- Historical And Strategic Ties
- Challenges in India-Seychelles Relations
- Way Forward
Why in the News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Seychelles, highlighting the historical, cultural and strategic ties between India and Seychelles, particularly the role of the Indian Diaspora.
News in Brief
- Five Indians were among the first recorded inhabitants of Seychelles in 1770, alongside African slaves and French settlers.
- Persons of the Indian origin now constitute about 5% of Seychelles’ population, reflecting centuries of migration and settlement.
- Despite being separated by nearly 4,000 km, India and Seychelles maintain close cooperation through people-to-people connections and shared interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
Historical And Strategic Ties
Historical Migration and Trade Links
- The first recorded inhabitants of Seychelles in 1770 included five Indians, along with African slaves and French settlers.
- Large-scale Indian migration began during the 20th century, mainly from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Gujarat.
- Indians settled as traders, labourers, and construction workers.
- During the colonial period, regular shipping links between India and Seychelles encouraged migration and trade.
Indian Diaspora in Seychelles
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) constitute nearly 5% of Seychelles’ population.
- A majority of the community belong to the Gujarati and Tamil backgrounds.
- More than 9,000 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) hold Gainful Employment Permits and work in construction, trade, and professional services.
Diplomatic Relations
- Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1976, soon after Seychelles’ attained independence.
- India considers Seychelles an important pillar of its maritime policy under the MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
Seychelles in India’s Indian Ocean Strategy
- Seychelles is a key partner in India’s engagement with the Global South.
- The country occupies a strategic position in the Western Indian Ocean.
- Cooperation supports efforts against piracy, maritime terrorism, and illegal fishing.
- Seychelles also contributes to regional maritime security and stability.
Cultural and People-to-People Ties
- The Indian diaspora plays a key role in strengthening cultural and social links between India and Seychelles.
- A statue of Mahatma Gandhi was installed in Victoria’s Peace Park in 2022.
- The Indian-origin community remains active in trade and construction sectors.
- Several persons of Indian origin have received recognition in Seychelles’ public institutions.
Development Partnership
- India is among Seychelles’ most trusted development partners.
- The areas of cooperation includes infrastructure, healthcare, education, public transport, and capacity building.
- A large number of Seychellois have received professional training in India.
- India has extended Lines of Credit, grants, and technical assistance to Seychelles.
- During the visit, India announced a Special Economic Package for Seychelles and promoted cooperation in medical tourism.
Challenges in India–Seychelles Relations
- Geopolitical Competition
- Increasing strategic presence of countries such as China in the Indian Ocean creates geopolitical competition and influences regional dynamics.
- Limited Economic Engagement
- Bilateral trade and investment remain relatively low, with significant untapped potential in sectors such as tourism, fisheries, renewable energy, and the blue economy.
- Maritime Security Threats
- Piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes continue to pose challenges in the Western Indian Ocean, requiring sustained cooperation.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Maritime Cooperation
- Expand collaboration in maritime security, coastal surveillance, and the blue economy to ensure a safe and stable Indian Ocean Region.
- Enhance Development Partnership
- Increase cooperation in infrastructure, healthcare, education, digital connectivity, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Deepen People-to-People Ties
- Promote cultural exchanges, tourism, educational scholarships, and greater engagement with the Indian diaspora in Seychelles.
- Boost Economic and Strategic Engagement
- Expand trade, investment, renewable energy, and climate resilience projects while reinforcing Seychelles’ role in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR and Global South outreach.
Conclusion
- India-Seychelles relations are rooted in centuries-old migration and trade links and have evolved into a strong partnership encompassing maritime security, development cooperation, cultural exchanges, and Global South engagement.
- The Indian diaspora continues to serve as a vital bridge connecting the two nations.
Key Takeaways
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Consider the following statements
-
- Seychelles is located in the Western Indian Ocean.
- Seychelles is a member of the G20.
- Persons of Indian origin constitute about 5% of Seychelles’ population.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All four
Answer: b) Only two
Explanation: Statements 1and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect as Seychelles is not a member of the G20.
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