VP Shekhawat (left) and VP Michel formally exchange documents after the signing ceremony

India and Seychelles formally cemented four memoranda of understanding on Wednesday September 10,  as part of the vice-president of India’s ongoing official visit.

India’s minister of state for external affairs, Shri Digvijay Singh, and Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremie Bonnelame signed the agreements on Wednesday at the Mahe Beach Hotel in the presence of Vice-President James Michel, Indian Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and a host of high ranking officials.

The memoranda are geared around four main areas of cooperation – health care, defence, culture and science and technology.

Vice-President Michel, speaking before the signings, said that the experience, know-how and level of expertise of India in those fields, along with the political will of the Indian government, would prove to be beneficial in other ways as well.

“These principles also apply to success through all other sectors of our cooperation,” Vice-President Michel said, referring to the private sector.  “I wish to reaffirm that the government of Seychelles welcomes partnerships in these areas for the mutual benefit of our two countries.”

Similarly, Vice-President Shekhawat said that the meeting between the business component of his delegation and local business organisations was fruitful.

“Trade and investment provide an important dimension to our relations,” Vice-President Shekhawat said.  “I am convinced there are excellent investment opportunities in Seychelles in tourism, fisheries and other sectors.”

In addition to the memoranda, a joint statement based on other discussions held throughout the course of Vice-President Shekhawat’s working visit was also signed by Minister Singh and Minister Bonnelame.

Vice-President Shekhawat and his delegation are scheduled to leave the country on Friday September 12.

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