Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday delivered a landmark address to the Parliament of Seychelles, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to speak before the island nation's legislature. In a speech that blended history, diplomacy and shared cultural heritage, Modi emphasised that the friendship between India and Seychelles stretches back over two centuries and was forged by ordinary people rather than governments.
Speaking in Victoria during his official visit, the Prime Minister said the ties between the two nations have grown through generations of families, cultural exchanges and mutual trust, making the relationship far deeper than formal diplomatic engagement.
Modi recalls centuries-old people-to-people connection
According to the Hindustan Times, highlighting the historical roots of the partnership, Modi referred to August 1770, when five Indians arrived at Ste Anne Island aboard the French ship Thélemaque. He said their journey marked the beginning of a relationship that would grow over the next 250 years.
According to Modi, those early settlers became part of the story of modern Seychelles, with Indian traditions continuing to flourish across the island nation. He pointed to familiar cultural symbols such as samosas, Deepavali celebrations and Garba during Navratri as examples of the enduring connection between the two societies.
The Prime Minister said the Indian Ocean had served as a bridge linking the peoples of both countries, allowing their friendship to evolve naturally over generations.
Address adds another milestone to Modi's diplomatic outreach
According to the Hindustan Times, the speech in Seychelles adds another chapter to Modi's long record of addressing legislatures around the world. Over the past decade, he has spoken before the parliaments of countries including Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, the United Kingdom, Afghanistan, Uganda, the Maldives, Guyana, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Namibia and Ethiopia.
He has also twice addressed the United States Congress and, earlier this year, became the first Indian Prime Minister to address Israel's Parliament, the Knesset.
These engagements reflect India's expanding diplomatic footprint and its efforts to strengthen partnerships across Africa, the Indian Ocean region and the Global South.
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Speaking at the National Assembly of Seychelles.@SeychellesNA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 28, 2026
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India reaffirms commitment to Indian Ocean partnership
Beyond celebrating shared history, Modi's speech also underlined India's continued commitment to working closely with Seychelles on regional development and maritime cooperation.
The Prime Minister described the relationship as one built on trust, shared values and common aspirations, stressing that India would continue standing alongside Seychelles as a reliable development partner.
His address reinforced New Delhi's strategic focus on the Indian Ocean, where Seychelles remains an important partner in promoting regional security, economic cooperation and sustainable growth. As India deepens engagement with island nations in the region, Modi's historic speech highlighted that the foundation of the partnership lies not only in diplomacy but also in centuries of cultural and human connections.
