Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Victoria, Seychelles, during a state visit in June 2024 [1].
This engagement underscores India's strategic efforts to maintain cultural and political influence within the Indian Ocean region through its global diaspora. By strengthening these bonds, India aims to expand its partnership with Seychelles into new frontiers of cooperation [2].
Modi arrived in Seychelles on June 27, 2024, for a visit lasting three days [1]. Upon his arrival, he received a guard of honor before proceeding with a schedule focused on bilateral friendship and community engagement [3].
During his time in Victoria, Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and delivered speeches to the local Indian community [3]. He said the relationship between the two nations is steady, strong, and long-lasting [4].
Modi said, "Our connection with India is still very strong" [4]. The prime minister said the diaspora serves as a vital bridge between the two countries, maintaining a cultural link that persists across generations [4].
Rohit Rathish, the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, said the visit is historic and will strengthen ties [2]. The diplomatic mission said the state visit was designed to push the India-Seychelles partnership toward new strategic goals [2].
The visit combined high-level diplomatic protocol with grassroots interaction—a hallmark of Modi's foreign policy approach to engage the "Global South" through personal diplomacy [3].
“"India‑Seychelles friendship is steady, strong and long‑lasting."”
This visit reflects India's broader 'Neighborhood First' and 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies. By prioritizing the Indian diaspora in Seychelles, New Delhi leverages soft power to secure strategic cooperation in a critical maritime corridor, ensuring that cultural affinity translates into stable diplomatic and security partnerships in the Indian Ocean.
