Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie arrived in New Delhi on Sunday after concluding high-level engagements in Chennai and Mumbai, marking a significant phase of his five-day state visit to India. He was warmly received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, and accorded a ceremonial welcome.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit reflects the strategic depth of India–Seychelles ties, especially in the maritime domain. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that Herminie held “productive engagements” in Chennai and Mumbai with key stakeholders in governance, industry, coastal management, and healthcare. He also described Seychelles as a vital maritime partner aligned with India’s Vision MAHASAGAR and its commitment to the Global South.

During his stay in Delhi, President Herminie is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on regional, multilateral, and strategic issues of mutual interest.

In Mumbai, Herminie met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at The Taj Mahal Palace. Discussions focused on port-led development, coastal management, maritime infrastructure, and avenues for deeper economic collaboration. Fadnavis also congratulated Seychelles on its 50 years of independence and five decades of diplomatic relations with India.

President Herminie was accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, including the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Transport, and Tourism and Culture.

Earlier, on February 6, he attended the India–Seychelles Business Forum in Chennai organised by FICCI, where he highlighted priority areas for cooperation such as digital technology, renewable energy, tourism, higher education, and electric mobility. A CEOs’ Roundtable also enabled direct engagement between Indian industry leaders and the Seychelles delegation.

Officials view the visit as an opportunity to deepen economic, maritime, and strategic cooperation, reinforce people-to-people ties, and expand investment linkages between India and Seychelles.