Seychelles President on 3-day visit from August 25

New Delhi: President of the Seychelles James Alix Michel will arrive here on August 25 on a three-day visit during which he will hold talks with top Indian leadership to explore ways to ramp up bilateral ties.

He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation which will include Minister of Foreign Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan and Minister of Finance, Trade and Blue Economy Jean-Paul Adam among others.

Michel's trip comes five months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited that country during which a number of agreements were signed to boost cooperation in a range of areas. It was first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 34 years.

Michel had earlier paid State visits to India in 2005 and 2010, apart from participating in the Delhi Sustainable Development Summits in 2011 and 2012.

During this visit, he will have meetings with President Pranab Mukherjee and Modi.

Michel will deliver an address on 'Maritime Security for Blue Economy' at the Indian Council for World Affairs besides addressing a business event.

He will also visit Mumbai where he will meet the Governor of Maharashtra and attend an event organised by Seychelles Tourism Board.

India and Seychelles have close and friendly relations. As maritime neighbours, the partnership is anchored in the need for peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.

Development partnership, especially in the areas of capacity building and human resource development forms an important part of the engagement.

The presence of a strong Indian community in Seychelles, comprising about 11 per cent of the total population, is another significant link between the two countries.