President James Michel’s state visit to India |28 August 2015

President Michel’s vision for Seychelles commended

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has lauded President James Michel’s vision for Seychelles and his efforts to revitalise its growth and development.

President Mukherjee was speaking during a banquet in honour of President Michel and his delegation at the Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan) on Wednesday evening.

He also used his speech to celebrate common bonds between Seychelles and India and praised Mr Michel’s work ethic.

President Michel was on a three-day state visit to India which ended yesterday (Thursday).

“The economic reforms undertaken by you, the expansion and diversification of your economy and your simultaneous focus on social welfare have shown splendid results. Seychelles now stands among countries recognised by the World Bank as high income group countries. We welcome your accession to the World Trade Organisation and congratulate you on your being ranked by the UNDP as the country with the third highest Human Development Index in Africa in the year 2014,” said Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

He added: “Your efforts for the development of the concept of the Blue Economy for sustainable development and your commitment to the issues of the small island developing states find resonance and support in India.”

Mr Mukherjee noted that he is confident the agreements the two governments have signed and new areas of cooperation that have been identified during President Michel’s visit will further strengthen the partnership between Seychelles and India – which is already an example of mutually beneficial south-south cooperation.

President Michel in his speech extended to President Mukherjee his deepest condolences and the condolences of the people of Seychelles on the passing of his wife Suvra Mukherjee, a lady of immense culture, a lady who has been his companion for 58 years, a devoted mother and a lady who has had a powering presence both on the Indian and international cultural scene.

“We grieve with you her passing,” said President Michel, who also extended his deepest condolences on the demise of the former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam, one of the foremost statesmen, scientists and humanists of the century.

“In spite of the somberness and sense of loss and personal tragedy, I wish to state that it is a great happiness that I return to India to feel the pulse and heartbeat of the world’s largest democracy and the dynamism of a great nation on the move which is an inspiration to the whole world.

“Your Excellency, I also felicitate you,  the government  and people of India for the recent celebration of your 69th Independence Day anniversary which has been a critical turning point in the historical and remarkable development of the Incredible India of today,” noted Mr Michel who had earlier met President Mukherjee in a tête-à-tête.

He added that the people of India and Seychelles have always shared a close relationship through our strong cultural and historical links.

“Strong family ties and kinship bind us together, represented by our many brothers and sisters of Indian origin who are an integral part of our history. Our relations also draw their strength from our shared values of democracy. They are nurtured by a common purpose for the progress and well-being of our people, peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean, and the world beyond.

“India is one of our strategic partners in this part of the world. It is therefore a great honour to be hosted this evening by the President of a great nation which is a close friend and a staunch ally of Seychelles,” said President Michel.

He also added that our mutual respect and trust grows with every encounter, as do our shared aspirations for stronger, deeper India-Seychelles relations in a better and more prosperous world.

“Our relationship was given a further boost by the memorable and fruitful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Seychelles in March of this year. The friendship between our two countries is reflected in the solid and endurable partnership we have put in the place over the years in almost every sector of human endeavour,” added Mr Michel.

He noted the strong and exemplary partnership in the defense and security sectors which has enabled Seychelles and India to fulfill their shared responsibility to advance maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.

“The destiny of our two countries is indeed linked by the currents of the ocean we share. It is also gratifying to have India as a partner in our overall development programme. The development of our human resources and capacity building in particular, is a key element which helps us build our resilience and adaptability as a nation. And I passionately believe in this. We look forward to the continued support of India in this field.

“We are committed to continue working together towards forging a more comprehensive economic and commercial relationship between India and Seychelles. We want it to be a partnership which drives economic growth and prosperity for our two nations. The facilitation of visa arrangements for our citizens, the enhancement in air connectivity, and the agreements signed this morning in agriculture and the Blue Economy are set to play a significant role in this endeavour. The meeting we had earlier with prominent members of the business, industry and trade community augurs well for deeper economic and commercial engagement between our two countries. Both our countries have a stake in the Blue Economy for the sustainable development of our shared oceanic space. It gives us the chance to tap into immense economic opportunities while also preserving our ocean for future generations,” said Mr Michel.

Text by Gerard Govinden in Delhi

Photo Mervyn Marie