The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee received His Excellency Mr. James Alix Michel, the President of the Republic of Seychelles at Rashtrapati Bhavan yesterday (August 26, 2015). He also hosted a banquet in his honour.

Welcoming Mr. James Alix Michel, the President said that Seychelles has made impressive progress under his stewardship and he wished that under his leadership the people of Seychelles would continue to move ahead from prosperity to prosperity. He stated that India appreciated the support from Seychelles regarding permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

In his banquet speech the President said that he was confident that the agreements their Governments had signed would further strengthen their partnership – which already is an example of mutually beneficial, South-South Cooperation. Their Protocol on co-operation in the field of Blue Economy was a major step in the conservation and sustainable use of Indian Ocean resources.

The President said that their traditional linkages and cultural affinities were at the core of their strategic convergence at multilateral fora. India greatly appreciated the support that it had received from Seychelles for its candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council.

The President reiterated that India remains deeply committed to its partnership with Africa. That is exemplified by the India Africa Forum Summits which began in 2008. India will be hosting the 3rd Summit of the Forum in October this year. India expected the Summit to result in new ideas for enhancing the socio-economic development of the peoples of the two countries.

This release issued at1200 hrs.