New Delhi: India and Seychelles explored avenues to strengthen cooperation in maritime trade, blue economy sectors and sustainable development during an Indo-Seychelles Business Roundtable held in Mumbai on Saturday.
The event was attended by Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles, and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal.
Addressing the roundtable, Sonowal said India and Seychelles share a relationship rooted in history and strengthened by enduring people-to-people ties, with maritime exchanges predating modern diplomacy. He noted that the partnership has evolved into a close and friendly relationship based on shared democratic values, pluralism and mutual respect, with cooperation spanning development assistance, capacity building, education, healthcare, maritime security and disaster response.
India’s engagement with Seychelles, Sonowal said, is guided by the MAHASAGAR vision — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions — which emphasises economic cooperation, sustainability and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
“This partnership has received renewed momentum under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji... India and Seychelles share a common vision of the Indian Ocean as a region of peace, stability and shared prosperity,” Sonowal said.
Indian exports to Seychelles include pharmaceuticals, food products, textiles, engineering goods, construction materials, automobiles and consumer products. Indian companies have also contributed to infrastructure development, energy projects, construction and services in Seychelles. Improved connectivity, including direct flights between Mumbai and Mahé, has further strengthened tourism, business travel and commercial engagement between the two countries.
Highlighting areas of economic collaboration, the minister said India’s experience in port-led development, logistics, maritime services and renewable energy can complement Seychelles’ development priorities, while Mumbai’s financial and fintech ecosystem can support innovation and financial inclusion initiatives.
Identifying priority sectors, Sonowal said, “Blue economy offers significant scope, including fisheries, aquaculture, port development, marine infrastructure, ocean-based renewable energy and marine research. Tourism and hospitality, renewable energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, fintech, education and skills development also present strong opportunities for collaboration.”
The roundtable saw participation from Indian business entities active in infrastructure, ports, fisheries, health, education, fintech and automobile sectors.
Emphasising Mumbai’s role, Sonowal said the city’s ports, logistics networks, maritime services, shipyards and financial ecosystem make it a natural platform to advance India-Seychelles cooperation in maritime trade and ocean-based industries.
“Mumbai has, for centuries, symbolised India’s engagement with the world. Shaped by the sea, trade and enterprise, it is a fitting venue to discuss economic and business cooperation between India and Seychelles — two maritime nations connected by the Indian Ocean and united by a shared vision of prosperity and sustainable development,” he said.
Referring to India’s economic trajectory, Sonowal said the country has benefited from sustained domestic demand, a reform-oriented policy environment and large-scale infrastructure investment. He said reforms in taxation, corporate regulation and digital governance over the past decade have improved transparency and ease of doing business.
“In the last 11 years, India’s port capacity has doubled, the number of seafarers has tripled, and sea cruise passengers have increased fourfold,” Sonowal said, adding that India’s maritime growth creates natural synergies with partners such as Seychelles.
Calling for closer business engagement, Sonowal said India and Seychelles are well-placed to elevate their economic partnership. “From Mumbai to Mahé, the distance is shorter and the possibilities greater,” he said.
(Cover photo by Ries Bosch on Unsplash)