India to gift Seychelles coastguard boat, second Dornier: Modi

[Hindustani78]

India to gift Seychelles coastguard boat, second Dornier: Modi

New Delhi, Aug 26, 2015, (IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced the gifting of an Interceptor Coastguard boat and a second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles after holding talks here with its visiting President James Alix Michel.

Modi, who had met Michel during a visit to the strategic Indian Ocean archipelago nation in March this year, termed Seychelles a key strategic partner for India and said Michel's visit has imparted additional momentum to bilateral relations.

"We are honoured to be a partner in providing aircraft, naval vessels and coastal radar systems for strengthening surveillance capacities. Our cooperation in hydrography surveys is extensive and growing," Modi said.

Both sides inked five agreements, including on exchange of information with regard to taxes and an MoU for providing a Dornier aircraft.

Modi said India will be gifting one more Interceptor Coastguard boat to Seychelles.
"In March, I had announced that we would gift a second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles. I am pleased that we have completed the process quickly and signed the agreement today," he said.

He termed the agreement for cooperation on blue economy as a "huge step forward" in ties and in promoting sustainable ocean economy in the region.

Modi said both sides look forward to cooperating in space, including in the areas of managing land and marine resources, fisheries advisory, weather forecasting and disaster management.
"We have begun preparations for infrastructure development on the Assumption Island in Seychelles," Modi said.

He said the Air Services agreement inked on Wednesday would enable more and easier connections between the two countries.

With the climate change summit in December, Modi said that climate change is a serious threat to island countries like Seychelles. "With a shoreline of 7,500 km and nearly 1,300 islands, India has similar concerns."

Modi proposed that both could "work together for a comprehensive, balanced and effective outcome on climate change at COP 21 in Paris later this year".

He expressed appreciation for Seychelles' support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN security council.

He also conveyed India's "desire to work with Small Island Developing States to realise their vision of Samoa Pathway and to be a source of strength for each other in international forums".

He also thanked Seychelles for its support in making the International Day of Yoga a big success.

Michel, in his media statement, said his visit to India within five months of Modi's visit "illustrates the unique relationship the two have on shared values and aspirations".

He said both have common goals in the Indian Ocean Rim Association and that the agreements inked on Wednesday would pave the way for enhancement of bilateral ties.
He expressed appreciation for the Dornier aircraft, which he said, would significantly enhance security of his country.

Michel said Seychelles has expressed willingness to be part of the maritime cooperation between India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

The five documents exchanged were for exchange of information with regard to taxes; an MoU for providing one Dornier maritime aircraft; an air services agreement; a protocol on framework of cooperation on blue economy; an MoU in agricultural research and education; and presentation of navigational chart of an island of Seychelles to the foreign minister.

Michel arrived here on Tuesday on a three-day visit.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
28-June, 2017 14:20 IST
President of India’s message on the eve of National Day of Seychelles


The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Republic of Seychelles on the eve of their 42nd National Day (June 29, 2017).


In a message to His Excellency Mr. Danny Antoine Rollen Faure, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, the President has said, “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to extend to you, the Government and the people of the Republic of Seychelles, warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your 42nd National Day.


Our two countries have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations marked by extensive people-to-people contacts. I am confident that our mutually beneficial co-operation and wide ranging bilateral engagement will continue to further diversify and deepen in the years to come.


It is also a matter of immense satisfaction that our shared commitment to peace, security and stability in the Indian Ocean region has strengthened in recent years. We have taken up many joint initiatives in the true spirit of our strategic partnership.


I take this opportunity to convey to Your Excellency my best wishes for your good health and well-being and for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Republic of Seychelles”.

***

 

[Hindustani78]

A Parliamentary delegation from Seychelles led by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Mr. Patrick Pillay calling on the President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 10, 2017.

President's Secretariat
10-August, 2017 19:35 IST
Parliamentary Delegation from Seychelles calls on the President


A Parliamentary Delegation from Seychelles led by Hon’ble Patrick Pillay, Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, called on President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind today at Rashtrapati Bhavan (August 10, 2017).

Welcoming the delegation, the President observed that the last parliamentary delegation from Seychelles had come in 2013 while the then President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil had addressed the National Assembly of Seychelles in 2012.

The President said that Seychelles is a maritime neighbour and trusted friend of India. The two countries have strong security and defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. He stated that Seychelles ranks high in the UN Human Development Index. The Government of Seychelles is providing universal free health care for all citizens. He stressed that India and Seychelles can cooperate in the healthcare sector apart from other areas of co-operation.

The President congratulated the Government of Seychelles for banning plastics from July 1, 2017 in their country. He also expressed hope that the National Assembly of Seychelles will ratify entry to International Solar Alliance soon.

***

Prime Minister's Office
10-August, 2017 18:00 IST
Seychelles Parliamentary Delegation Calls on Prime Minister


A 12-member delegation of the Seychelles Parliament called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today. The delegation was led by Speaker Hon. Patrick Pillay and included Leader of Government Business, Hon. Charles De Commarmond.

Prime Minister welcomed increased exchanges between the legislatures of both countries. He appreciated their role in upholding strong and vibrant ties between India and Seychelles as close partners, including in the Indian Ocean. Prime Minister recalled his own productive visit to Seychelles in March 2015 that helped both countries further deepen cooperation.

The delegation shared their perspectives with Prime Minister on further strengthening cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The Seychelles parliamentary delegation is on an official visit to India on the invitation of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

***

 

[SingaporeGuy]

what can the dornier aircraft and coastguard boat do?

false friendship

 

[raj76]

what can the dornier aircraft and coastguard boat do?

false friendship

ah you poor creature how hard u try on every thread but in reality even the country whose flags u show doesnt share same views with you. all you can do is cry like a little girl and spew poison from u r small liitle room.

 

[Sliver]

pics of the vessel and the aircraft would be good addition to the thread. can any Indian members with knowledge of the type of the products involved post the same? thanks in advance.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

pics of the vessel and the aircraft would be good addition to the thread. can any Indian members with knowledge of the type of the products involved post the same? thanks in advance.

The interceptor boat, who knows, there are so many designs being built in India now.

 

[Imran Khan]

pics of the vessel and the aircraft would be good addition to the thread. can any Indian members with knowledge of the type of the products involved post the same? thanks in advance.

 

[Sliver]

what are its specs? coastal surveillance? certainly does not look to have any armaments.

 

[Imran Khan]

 

[Sliver]

The interceptor boat, who knows, there are so many designs being built in India now.

found it

"Hermes is the third vessel from India to join the SCG after PS Topaz and PS Constant."

had to do some digging:
http://www.pfsr.org/national-highlights/interceptor-boat-from-india-handed-over-to-seychelles/

 

[Tshering22]

Seychelles is a beautiful country with excellent relations with almost all the countries around the world. Despite limited resources, they have managed their country beautifully and have ensured a steady stream of revenue for their people.

It was an excellent decision to provide them with patrol boats and aircraft. Need to give them with something more potent.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...controversy/story-IneroOgnblZVaoXRTtZm1M.html

A plan for India to build a military base on an outlying Seychelles island has won favour among the archipelago nation’s politicians, but some hostility from its people.

The base on Assumption Island is to be funded by India and shared by the two countries’ militaries.

The deal was struck in principle in 2015 during a visit to the Seychelles by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but progress since has been slow.

The government of the Seychelles, based in Victoria on Mahe Island 1,135 kilometres (705 miles) northeast of Assumption, says the base will help coastguards to patrol its 1.3 million square kilometre (500,000 square mile) exclusive economic zone for illegal fishing, drug trafficking and piracy.

Currently, the remote coral island has a tin shack post office, an air strip and almost no people, it is less than seven kilometres long, has a high point just 30 metres (100 feet) above sea level and is covered in bird excrement.

But its location lends it strategic importance for monitoring shipping in the Mozambique Channel.

Small island, big investment

India plans to invest $550 million dollars in building the base to help it ensure the safety of its vessels in the southern Indian Ocean. It also says the base will be a resource for other shipping nations.

“Assumption is very close to the Mozambique Channel where much of the international trade is transiting, and not just for India but for other countries as well, and our interest is that our trading vessels are safe,” said India’s ambassador in Victoria, Ausaf Sayeed.

India has had a military cooperation agreement with the Seychelles since 2003 and the deal would give it use of the Assumption base for up to 30 years. Indian soldiers would be deployed on the island and help train Seychelles’ troops.

But ratification of the 2015 agreement has been slow with a new, amended pact only signed between the two countries on January 27.

“What we did in relation to the first agreement is to clarify some points that could give rise to litigation,” said Frank Ally, the Seychelles’ attorney general.

He said these included a prohibition on any nuclear uses of the island or weapons storage. India is also not allowed to use Assumption in war.

Seeking to allay fears the government has made available to the public some details of the classified defence agreement.

Weekly protests

Nevertheless, the project remains controversial with small weekly demonstrations in the capital.

Indian presence in the Seychelles is a sensitive matter. Some fear an influx of Indian workers who, they say, might come to dominate the economy, while others consider a foreign power building a military base an affront to sovereignty and national pride.

“The Seychelles can make its own military base, I am against any foreign military presence!” said Guilmert Corgat, a businessman in Victoria who attended a town hall meeting on the plan in late February.

“If this deal is so good for the Seychelles, why don’t we hold a referendum?” asked Alexia Amesbury, a lawyer.

During the discussions foreign minister Barry Faure was forced to insist the government was not giving the island away, “because Assumption belongs to the Seychelles”.

Opponents of the plan also cite Assumption’s relative proximity to Aldabra atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises.

Environmentalists worry about the possible impact of a large military presence so close to an ecosystem that has survived precisely because of the absence of people.

Despite the dissenting voices, Sayeed remains positive that parliament will ratify the new agreement when it reopens this month.

With the opposition, like the government, broadly in favour of the base, though against too many concessions to India, the diplomat’s optimism may be well-founded.

“I think politicians and people who see the positive side of this cooperation will be in favour, and I am convinced that it will pass,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...litary-base/story-Pybvsp6weVRf0VikCubeXI.html

Seychelles’ opposition coalition, which holds a majority in parliament, said Tuesday it would not ratify a deal signed with India to build a military base on one of the archipelago’s outlying islands.

The deal would see India invest $550 million in building the base on Assumption island to help it ensure the safety of its vessels in the southern Indian Ocean.

Indian soldiers would be deployed on the island which lies 1,135 kilometres southwest from the capital, and help train Seychelles’ troops.

However the deal has faced some resistance from locals, and Wavel Ramkalawan, head of the opposition Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (Seychelles Democratic Union in Creole) said the coalition “will not ratify the Assumption deal. This deal is dead”.

The LDS had held a majority in parliament since its victory in 2016 legislative elections.

On Monday, President Danny Faure said he would meet with Ramkalawan on March 26 to discuss the deal, which was agreed in principle in 2015 and then finalised in January this year.

The government says the base will help coastguards to patrol its 1.3 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone for illegal fishing, drug trafficking and piracy.

Currently, the remote coral island has a tin shack post office, an air strip and almost no people. Less than seven kilometres long the island has a high point just 30 metres above sea level and is covered in bird excrement.

But its location lends it strategic importance for monitoring shipping in the Mozambique Channel.

However Indian presence in the Seychelles is a sensitive matter. Some fear an influx of Indian workers who, they say, might come to dominate the economy, while others consider a foreign power building a military base an affront to sovereignty and national pride.

Opponents of the plan also cite Assumption’s relative proximity to Aldabra atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the world’s largest population of giant tortoises.