The President of the Republic, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, welcomed the Honourable Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India, H.E. Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, for a courtesy visit at State House this afternoon.

President Ramkalawan expressed his pleasure at welcoming Dr Jaishankar to Seychelles once again on another official visit, and hope that his visit will reinforce the excellent bond of friendship that exists between Seychelles and India.

"Your visit to Seychelles reaffirms the friendship that exist between our two countries. On behalf of the Government of Seychelles, I wish to thank the Republic of India for all the support that we have received over the years. So many projects has been fulfilled and others still in the ongoing in line of mutual interest. Rest assured that the diplomatic relations between our two countries will take a new dimension and I am looking forward in strengthening the already fruitful relations,” added President Ramkalawan.

The President also took the opportunity to review the relationship between Seychelles and India with the External Affairs Minister of India and explore prospective opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as in Health, Maritime Security, Social Development, Tourism, Military and Defence as well as in Education that will further benefit the people of Seychelles.

For his part, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr Jaishankar, conveyed the personal greetings and congratulatory message of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India to President Ramkalawan as the new President and relayed India’s commitment towards enhancing current ties and furthering cooperation based on mutual interests of the two peoples.

Dr Jaishankar was accompanied by an Indian delegation, including the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, H.E. Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag (Retd.) and the Joint Secretary (External Affairs Minister’s Office), Dr. Shilpak Ambule.

Also present at State House for the courtesy call were Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Sylvestre Radegonde and Project Coordinator, International Corporation and Regional Integration Division, Mr Terrence Malbrook.

Following the courtesy visit, the delegation proceeded to Salon d’Acceuil, State House for further bilateral talks with Minister Sylvestre Radegonde.