Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed the Parliament of Seychelles, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. He said the Indian Ocean does not separate India and Seychelles, but connects them.
Modi is on a three-day visit to the Indian Ocean island nation and is taking part in multiple engagements. He is also scheduled to attend Seychelles’ National Day celebrations as the chief guest.
During the visit, he was conferred Seychelles’ highest civilian award, the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon”. His address to the legislature marked his 20th speech at a foreign parliament, according to the details shared.
In his remarks, Modi said he viewed the opportunity to speak in the Seychelles Parliament as a special honour. Recalling his 2015 visit, he noted that Seychelles was the first country he visited in the Indian Ocean region after becoming Prime Minister.
He also traced the relationship beyond formal diplomacy, saying ties were not only built by governments but by people, with connections dating back to 1770. Members of Parliament stood up to welcome him as he arrived to deliver the address.
