Indo- Seychelles relations have been characterized by close friendship, understanding and co-operation. While diplomatic ties have been established since the very first day of independence of Seychelles in June 1976, cultural and ethnic links have been there for centuries. The first resident High Commissioner to Seychelles was placed in 1987.
Bilateral co-operation in various fields are governed by the Joint Commission on Economic and Technical co-operation. Also in Place is a Cultural Agreement under which periodical Cultural Exchange Programmes are drawn up. The Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries have signed a trade agreement under which a Joint Business Council has been set up.
Under the Indian Technical and Economic co-operation (ITEC) programme a number of Seychellois have benefited from training courses conducted in India in both civilian and defense fields. India has also been deputing experts in civilian and defense sectors to assist the Seychelles authorities. India and Seychelles have excellent defense links. In the past several years India has been sending Military and Naval Advisers to SPDF and SCG under ITEC. Indian Naval Ships make regular goodwill visits to Port Victoria. This has become an annual event now.
In the cultural sphere, regular visit of troops is organized under the banner of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. In 1997 an Odisi dance troupe made a successful visit to Seychelles. This was followed by a Bihu dance troupe and Rajasthani folk dance and music in 1998 a photo exhibition in 1999 and an exhibition of Madhubani paintings in 2000.
In the field of trade and commerce, the most successful story has been that of the Tatas. In 1978, Tata Exports helped set up the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) by providing 80 buses on commercial terms. In subsequent years, Seychelles has continued to import Tata buses. Tata has also helped to establish and run a maintenance workshop for SPTC. Other exports from India include agricultural and food items, rice, cereals and consumer goods, textiles, engineering, and automobile goods, construction materials, drugs and pharmaceuticals etc. Currently Indian exports to Seychelles stands at US$ 10 million approximately with a market share of 3% .
India has another important link with Seychelles in the form of expatriate Indian nationals working in Seychelles in various sectors like construction, hotels, banks, financial set-ups, parastatal bodies and Ministries. A number of Indian doctors are employed in the health service sector. Persons of Indian origin in Seychelles including expatriates are estimated to be around 6000.