Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Visit of President Pratibha Patil to Seychelles

Seeking to take its relations with Seychelles to new heights, India, on April 30, 2012, during the visit of President Pratibha Patil to the country, announced a USD 75 million financial package for the country and agreed to train police personnel in the strategically located Indian Ocean archipelago, affected by piracy.

After her “very fruitful” talks with her Seychelles counterpart, James Michel, President Pratibha Patil said that India would extend USD 50 million Line of Credit and a grant of USD 25 million to this island republic.

Hailing the visit of Patil, the second Presidential visit from India after 22 years, as “historic”, President Michel said that “Seychelles has positioned itself as a rock of dependability for India in the Indian Ocean region. India can always count on Seychelles and I know that we can always count on India. We share a strategic partnership and also a natural partnership.”

A major feature of the visit was President Patil’s address to the National Assembly of Seychelles. She became the first President of any country to address the Assembly.

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