Vice President Radhakrishnan Highlights India-Seychelles Ties Amid Tourism Boom and Infrastructure Push

When Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped onto the stage in Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles on October 26, 2025, he didn’t just speak to the Indian diaspora—he reminded the world how deeply India’s rise is intertwined with its partnerships across the Indian Ocean. His address wasn’t ceremonial fluff. It was a strategic manifesto wrapped in warmth, anchored in data, and delivered with the quiet confidence of a nation that’s no longer asking for a seat at the table—but helping set the agenda.

From Plantation Workers to Top Tourism Market

The story of India and Seychelles didn’t begin with diplomatic cables or trade deals. It began in 1770, when five Indians, along with African slaves and French colonists, became the first recorded inhabitants of the islands. That’s not a footnote—it’s the foundation. Under British rule, Seychelles was administered from the Bombay Presidency, with ships regularly carrying rice, textiles, and people between the two shores. Fast forward to 2025, and India is now almost in Seychelles’ top 10 tourism markets, according to the Seychelles Tourism Secretary. That leap? Direct flights. Since IndiGo launched its Mumbai–Victoria route last year, tourist arrivals from India have surged. The numbers aren’t just impressive—they’re transformative. "It’s an amazing link," the Secretary said in a YouTube interview. "These are people with families, businesses, roots here. They’re not tourists. They’re ambassadors."

India’s Economic Clout on Display

Vice President Radhakrishnan didn’t shy away from the big numbers. "India has emerged as the 4th largest economy in the world," he declared, "and is on a trajectory to become the third-largest within the next few years." He backed it up with hard metrics: India’s Digital Public Infrastructure now handles 50% of the world’s digital financial transactions through UPI. That’s not just convenience—it’s a global public good. Then came the infrastructure push: over $125 billion allocated this fiscal year alone for roads, ports, airports, and shipbuilding. And the human impact? The World Bank credits India with lifting 171 million people out of extreme poverty, bringing the rate down to just 2.3% of the population. These aren’t slogans. They’re measurable revolutions.

Trade, Aid, and the Quiet Diplomacy of Rice

Bilateral trade between India and Seychelles hit $72.92 million from April 2024 to February 2025. That’s modest compared to India’s global trade—but meaningful for a small island nation. More telling are the gestures. In July 2024, India delivered 200 tonnes of non-basmati rice under a special export waiver—a lifeline for food security. Earlier, 50,000 doses of Covishield were sent during the pandemic. And now, Seychelles sees India as its preferred destination for specialized medical care. "We don’t just send medicine," one Seychellois health official told ANI. "We send expertise. We send trust."

A Cultural Bridge Built Over Generations

The Indian community in Seychelles—estimated at over 8,000 people—isn’t just a demographic. It’s a living archive. Many families have been here for four or five generations. They run restaurants, pharmacies, travel agencies. Their children speak Creole, Tamil, and English. They’re not visitors. They’re stakeholders. That’s why tourism officials are so eager to involve them. "We don’t market Seychelles to Indians," said the Tourism Secretary. "We market it through Indians."

What Comes Next? The Vision Beyond 2047

Radhakrishnan tied this partnership to India’s broader ambition: becoming a "Viksit" (developed) nation by 2047. Seychelles, he noted, shares that vision—not just for economic growth, but for regional stability. The two nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation in maritime security, climate resilience, and education. A joint working group is expected to meet in early 2026 to finalize a new framework for tourism and investment. And while direct flights are a start, talks are already underway to expand air connectivity with direct routes from Delhi and Bengaluru. The Indian Navy’s participation in Seychelles’ independence celebrations in 1976 was symbolic. Today, the collaboration is structural.

Why This Matters Beyond the Indian Ocean

This isn’t just about two countries. It’s a blueprint for how emerging economies build alliances—not through aid dependency, but through mutual benefit. India isn’t offering loans with strings. It’s offering infrastructure, digital tools, medical access, and cultural connection. Seychelles isn’t just receiving—it’s reciprocating with strategic access to the Indian Ocean. And together, they’re proving that the Global South doesn’t need to wait for permission to lead.