By IANS,
New Delhi : The safety and security of the Indian Ocean is a shared objective of India and the Seychelles, President Pratibha Patil said Wednesday, lauding the island nation for carrying out economic reforms and tackling piracy with conviction.
At a state dinner hosted at Rashtrapati Bhavan for visiting Seychelles President James Alix Michel, Patil said the waters of the Indian Ocean have helped in connecting the two countries and brought them together since ancient times.
“The bonds between us are rich and infused with history. The links between us extend to every aspect of human life – social, economic, cultural, intellectual or political,” the president said.
She said that New Delhi stands ready to be a full and equal partner in the realisation of “your vision of economic development of Seychelles and in contributing to your security, especially in the face of piracy”.
“The problem of piracy affects us all and requires international cooperation,” she added.
“We have moved forward a long way in our bilateral cooperation and engagement. We meet today as two vibrant democracies that share common values and common goals,” she added.
Michel as president last visited India in August 2005 and as vice-president in 1999. He had also visited New Delhi as a minister in 1987 and 1994.
President Patil said that New Delhi has been assisting the Seychelles in capacity building through scholarships for studies in Indian universities and by providing training to its civilian and defence officers.
“We will continue to enhance our cooperation in this area,” she added.