Vice president CP Radhakrishnan arrives in Seychelles for two-day visit

Vice President of India, CP Radhakrishnan, arrived in Seychelles today for a two-day official visit. The programme includes attending the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected President of Seychelles, Dr. Patrick Herminie.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the Vice President’s visit will commence with an address to the Indian community in Seychelles, followed by his participation in the official inauguration of President-elect Herminie, who won the 2025 presidential runoff with 52.7 per cent of the votes, defeating incumbent President Wavel Ramkalawan.

Dr. Patrick Herminie, a member of the United Seychelles party, has had a long-standing political career in the country. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1993 and subsequently re-elected in 1998 and 2002. He served as Leader of Government Business from 1998 to 2007 and was Speaker of the National Assembly between 2007 and 2016. From 2017 to 2020, he served as Secretary of State for the Prevention of Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation, leading initiatives to combat heroin addiction in Seychelles.

Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, situated northeast of Madagascar and about 1,600 km east of mainland Africa. Covering a total area of 459 square kilometres, it has a population of around 100,000. Its economy is primarily driven by tourism, fisheries, and offshore financial services, making it one of Africa’s wealthiest per capita nations. The country’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean has made it a key partner in maritime security and regional cooperation.

The Vice President’s visit is expected to strengthen India–Seychelles bilateral relations, which have existed since 1976. India maintains a resident High Commission in Victoria and supports Seychelles in areas including development projects, maritime security, and regional cooperation. Engagements with the Indian community underscore people-to-people ties, while discussions with the government are anticipated to enhance cooperation in political, strategic, and economic spheres.

Vice President Radhakrishnan is scheduled to depart Seychelles on October 28, concluding the two-day visit.