June 1, 2010 -- President James Michel travels to India today to undertake a state visit at the invitation of H.E Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of the Republic of India.

This visit marks the continual strengthening of the relations between the two countries, as highlighted recently during the Seventh Meeting of the Indo- Seychelles Joint Commission which was held in Seychelles from 10th to 11th May 2010.

On Wednesday the President is scheduled to meet President Pratibha Patil, as well as engage in intensive bilateral discussion with the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Discussions are expected focus on the ongoing cooperation programme mainly in the fields of Health, Education, Trade and Investment, Defence Cooperation, and Information Technology.

President Michel has highlighted that Seychelles and India have a lot in common and that the two countries are determined to ensure that their cooperation continues to grow alongside enhanced commercial and investment links: "We are natural partners.  This state visit is another means by which we will bring our two countries and peoples closer together.  I look forward to intense discussions on issues of mutual interest."

India has notably been a key partner in the fight against piracy and the President has stressed that the two countries share the mutual desire to ensure safety and security in the Indian Ocean region: "We share an ocean, and we share the ideals of peace and security.  We will continually work together to ensure that our respective peoples can pursue prosperity in safety and security."

The state visit is also the opportunity to enhance the commercial and trade ties between the two countries and a delegation from the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce will also be undertaking extensive discussions with its counterparts during the President's visit.