New Delhi, Shahid K Abbas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the Indian community in Seychelles as a "living bridge" connecting the two countries, applauding its contribution to the island nation's development while preserving India's rich cultural heritage, as he wrapped up a landmark three-day State Visit marked by major diplomatic achievements and enhanced people-to-people engagement.

Interacting with members of the Indian diaspora in Victoria, Modi highlighted the community's pivotal role in strengthening the longstanding historical and cultural relationship between India and Seychelles at a time when the two countries are expanding cooperation in maritime security, sustainable development, digital connectivity and regional stability in the Indian Ocean.

The Prime Minister received a rousing welcome upon his arrival at his hotel in Victoria, where members of the diaspora greeted him with traditional Kutch folk dances, sacred mantra chants and the waving of the Indian Tricolour, reflecting the community's enduring emotional and cultural ties with India.

Addressing the gathering, Modi praised the diaspora for keeping Indian traditions alive despite living far from their ancestral homeland. He noted with appreciation that festivals such as Deepavali and Navratri continue to be celebrated enthusiastically in Seychelles and remarked that the community's fondness for Indian cuisine, including samosas, symbolised its strong cultural connection with India.

He said the Indian community had served as a vital link in reinforcing the friendship between the two countries and acknowledged its contribution to Seychelles' development over the years.

Later, in a series of posts on social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote, "Had a wonderful interaction with members of the Indian community in Seychelles. They are making effective contributions to Seychelles' progress. At the same time, their connection with India is still very strong."

The diaspora outreach was one of the highlights of Modi's State Visit, which witnessed several historic milestones in bilateral relations. The Prime Minister attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Seychelles' Independence as the Guest of Honour, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and the Indian Ocean nation.

In another landmark moment, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly of Seychelles, underlining the growing strategic importance of the partnership and India's commitment to the Indian Ocean region.

During the visit, the Prime Minister was also conferred the 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon', Seychelles' highest honour for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development, adding another prestigious international recognition to his global efforts on climate action and sustainability.

During bilateral talks with Seychelles President Patrick Herminie, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of cooperation and discussed expanding collaboration under India's Vision MAHASAGAR initiative. Their discussions focused on maritime security, green energy, sustainable development and strengthening regional cooperation across the Indian Ocean.

The Prime Minister also underlined the shared civilisational and spiritual bonds between the two nations through visits to key cultural landmarks in Victoria.

He offered prayers at the Arulmigu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple, one of Seychelles' most prominent Hindu temples, saying, "May Bhagwan Shri Ganesh bless everyone with wisdom, strength and prosperity."

Appreciating the efforts of the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam, Modi said, "I would like to appreciate the Seychelles Hindu Kovil Sangam for their efforts towards the building of the Arulmigu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple and for popularising different aspects of Indian culture and spirituality in Seychelles."

The Prime Minister also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Peace Park in Victoria, where he reflected on the enduring relevance of Gandhi's ideals.

"Bapu's ideals transcend generations, uniting people in the pursuit of peace, justice and human dignity. His thoughts continue to inspire our collective endeavour for a better world," Modi wrote on X.

Summing up the visit, Modi expressed confidence that India-Seychelles relations were poised to enter a new era of innovation and shared prosperity.

"My visit to Seychelles has been filled with substantive outcomes that will boost the India-Seychelles friendship. I can confidently say that while the past fifty years of our relationship have been marked by deep trust and shared progress, the next fifty years will be defined by innovation, sustainability and shared prosperity," he said.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, the Prime Minister added, "I am happy to have joined the National Day celebrations and that too during the time when Seychelles marks 50 years of Independence. I thank President Herminie, the Government and people of Seychelles for their affection."

India and Seychelles enjoy longstanding historical, cultural and economic ties, supported by a vibrant Indian-origin community that has contributed significantly to the island nation's growth. In recent years, bilateral cooperation has broadened to include defense and maritime security, infrastructure, healthcare, education, digital public infrastructure, renewable energy and capacity building. Modi's visit, coinciding with the twin milestones of Seychelles' Golden Jubilee of Independence and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, reinforced India's commitment to a secure, prosperous and inclusive Indian Ocean under its MAHASAGAR vision