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Seychelles Makes U-Turn: Indian Naval Base Plan Still Intact


Date:- 26 Jun 2018


Days after Seychelles Parliament blocked Indian military expansion plans in the Assumption Island, the agreement signed in 2015 between the two sides is back on negotiation table. Following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Seychelles President Danny Faure on Monday, it appears that the deal to enable India develop Assumption Islands as a naval base is still intact.

“We have agreed to work together on the Assumption Island project based on each other’s interests,” Modi said at a joint Press event after the talks. In his statement, Faure too said, “In the context of maritime security, the Assumption Island was discussed. We are equally engaged and will continue to work together bearing each other’s interests in mind.”

The statement comes at a time when the Seychelles Government is facing opposition in its Parliament over India’s proposal. India is looking at expanding its footprint in the strategically-important Indian Ocean region to counter China, which is trying to enhance its military presence in the region by making its first overseas naval base in Djibouti last July.

“Both India and Seychelles are key strategic partners for each other... Both countries respect the core values of democracy. We share the geo-strategic vision of maintaining peace, security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region,” Modi said.

Underlining the robust Defence and security cooperation between the two countries, the PM announced that India would hand over second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles on Tuesday. “The aircraft would reach Seychelles before its National Day on June 29,” Modi said.

“We face dangers of international crimes such as piracy, drugs, human trafficking and illegal explanation of oceanic resources,” the PM while assuring India’s commitment to help Seychelles improve its Defence capabilities and maritime infrastructure. Modi said that with India’s support, Seychelles will be able to deal with both traditional and non-traditional challenges.

Meanwhile, India announced a second line of credit to Seychelles to help it build civilian infrastructure projects. The Special Grant will be used in making Government houses, new Police Headquarters and Attorney General’s Office among other things.

Following the talks between Modi and Faure, India and Seychelles signed six agreements that will see cooperation in cyber security, sharing of white shipping information that would enable the two countries to exchange data regarding identity and movement of non-military commercial vessels, and promotion of cultural exchange programmes and infrastructure development in Seychelles.

BOX:

Seychelles Prez gifts Modi two giant Aldabra tortoises

New Delhi: Seychelles President Danny Faure on Monday gifted a pair of giant Aldabra tortoises to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thanking Faure for the gift, Modi said the tortoise with long life span has witnessed three centuries and is a symbol of “ever-lasting” friendship between the two countries. “In India, this creature and other animals are seen with a lot of love and compassion,” Modi said during his statement to the media after the talks. The tortoise will be kept at Hyderabad Zoo.

The giant tortoises weigh around 120 and 150 kg and have the ability to live for up to 200 years. Gifting or giving Aldabra tortoises on loan to friendly countries is a part of the Seychellois diplomacy.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Tuesday, 26 June 2018 | Vineeta Pandey | New Delhi