Delhi/Victoria, June 28 (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie on Sunday held official talks at the State House in Victoria and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, digital payments, connectivity, maritime security and development partnership.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders reviewed the progress made on decisions taken during President Herminie's visit to India earlier this year, including projects being implemented under the Special Economic Package worth USD 175 million.

During the visit, both sides witnessed the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering healthcare, agriculture, digital payments, maritime cooperation, development partnership, space cooperation, legal cooperation and capacity building.

India and Seychelles also launched a commemorative logo marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. The two leaders virtually participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Professional and Technical Education Centre in Seychelles.

In a joint press statement after the talks, Prime Minister Modi said India envisions an Indian Ocean where maritime security and economic prosperity advance together through mutual respect and trust.

He said the agreement on Jan Aushadhi would help provide quality and affordable medicines to the people of Seychelles. Modi also announced that both countries would work towards introducing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Seychelles and enhancing connectivity between the two countries.

The Prime Minister also thanked President Herminie for conferring upon him the Seychelles' highest presidential distinction, 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon'.

He dedicated the honour to all countries working to address climate change and protect the environment for future generations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar