PM Modi in Seychelles: India seeks Indian Ocean as 'Ocean of Opportunity'
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500+ questions on Polity with explanations
📌 Summary:
- During his three-day state visit, PM Modi declared India's vision to make the Indian Ocean an "Ocean of Opportunity", with partnerships based on mutual respect and trust, not size
- Modi and Seychelles President Patrick Herminie held delegation-level talks reviewing the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation
- Several MoUs signed: UPI implementation, healthcare, banking, agriculture, EXIM Bank line of credit, and outer space exploration
- Herminie reaffirmed Seychelles' "special place" in India's MAHASAGAR vision; commitment to counter piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing and cross-border crime
- India strengthened Seychelles' maritime capabilities via surveillance, hydrography, refit of PS Zoroaster and gifting of fast attack vessel PS Lespwar to the Seychelles Coast Guard
- Special Economic Package of $175 million announced: $125 million rupee-denominated Line of Credit + $50 million grant assistance
- Modi conferred 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon', Seychelles' highest distinction, for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development; was Guest of Honour at Golden Jubilee national day
🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 (IR) — India's maritime diplomacy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), development partnership model, and the MAHASAGAR vision succeeding SAGAR; relevant to "Neighbourhood First" extended to the maritime neighbourhood.
📝 Prelims Facts:
- MAHASAGAR = "Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions" (evolution of SAGAR doctrine)
- Fast attack vessel gifted: PS Lespwar; vessel refitted: PS Zoroaster
- Special Economic Package: $175 mn ($125 mn rupee LoC + $50 mn grant)
- Highest Seychelles honour conferred on Modi: 'Guardian of the Blue Horizon'
🔑 Key Term: MAHASAGAR — India's maritime cooperation vision for the Global South, broadening the earlier SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine to security, capacity-building and sustainable development across the Indian Ocean.
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