C.P. Radhakrishnan Meets Seychelles Parliamentary Delegation, Calls for Stronger India-Seychelles Ties

TEN NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi News (03/09/2026): Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, C. P. Radhakrishnan, on Thursday met a parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Seychelles led by Speaker of the National Assembly, H.E. Ms. Azarel Ernesta, at Parliament House in New Delhi.

During the meeting, the Vice-President welcomed the Speaker and members of the Seychelles delegation and conveyed his greetings to the government and people of Seychelles on the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

He also congratulated Azarel Ernesta on becoming the first woman Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles. The Vice-President recalled her participation in the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), which was held in New Delhi in January 2026.

Vice-President Recalls Special Bond With Seychelles

Highlighting the longstanding friendship between India and Seychelles, C.P. Radhakrishnan said that Seychelles holds a special place for him.

He recalled his visit to the island nation in October 2025 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie. The visit was particularly significant as it was his first overseas visit after assuming office as Vice-President of India.

Radhakrishnan also remembered his interactions with President Herminie and Seychelles Vice-President Sebastien Pillay, while appreciating the warmth and hospitality extended to him by the people of Seychelles.

2026 Marks Key Milestones in Bilateral Relations

The Vice-President pointed out that 2026 has emerged as an important year in India-Seychelles relations, with several high-level exchanges taking place between the two countries.

He noted that the Prime Minister of India attended Seychelles’ 50th National Day celebrations in June 2026, while President Patrick Herminie undertook a State Visit to India in February 2026.

Seychelles Vice-President Sebastien Pillay also visited India in February to participate in the AI Impact Summit.

Radhakrishnan further highlighted that India and Seychelles are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, describing the milestone as an opportunity to further strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

He expressed confidence that the visit of the Seychelles parliamentary delegation would provide additional momentum to bilateral cooperation, particularly in the area of parliamentary engagement.

India’s $175 Million Economic Package for Seychelles Highlighted

During the interaction, the Vice-President also referred to India’s announcement in February 2026 of a Special Economic Package worth USD 175 million for Seychelles.

He said the package would help take the development and security partnership between the two countries to a new level, further reflecting India’s commitment to its longstanding relationship with Seychelles.

India Offers Parliamentary Digitisation Expertise

A significant part of the discussion focused on the modernisation and digitisation of parliamentary functioning.

The Vice-President outlined several initiatives undertaken by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, including the increasing use of digital systems in parliamentary proceedings, simultaneous translation into multiple languages, efforts to make parliamentary work more paperless and efficient, and regular capacity-building programmes in areas such as cybersecurity.

He also highlighted the creation of digital archives of parliamentary texts, aimed at preserving parliamentary records while improving accessibility and efficiency.

Radhakrishnan conveyed India’s readiness to share its parliamentary experience and technological expertise with the Seychelles National Assembly.

He also offered to facilitate study visits and customised capacity-building programmes for officials and members of the Seychelles Parliament based on their specific requirements and priorities.

Indian Diaspora Described as a Bridge Between the Two Nations

Emphasising the importance of people-to-people contacts, the Vice-President acknowledged the contribution of the Indian diaspora in Seychelles.

He specifically referred to the Gujarati and Tamil communities, noting that they have played an important role in strengthening social and cultural links between India and Seychelles. According to the Vice-President, the Indian diaspora continues to serve as an enduring bridge of friendship and understanding between the two countries.

Yoga Symbolises People-to-People Connect

Radhakrishnan also noted that Seychelles National Assembly Speaker Azarel Ernesta regularly practises Yoga. He described Yoga as another strong symbol of the close people-to-people relationship shared by India and Seychelles.

The Vice-President expressed hope that the visit would lead to continued interaction and closer cooperation between the parliamentary institutions of both countries. He wished Speaker Azarel Ernesta and the members of the Seychelles delegation a pleasant and productive stay in India.
The meeting comes at a significant moment in India-Seychelles relations, with both nations marking five decades of diplomatic ties and witnessing increased high-level political, economic and parliamentary engagement.