Indian Army contingent, naval band, INS Tarkash to grace Seychelles National Day celebrations
Additionally, an Indian Navy marching contingent and naval band will also be part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the archipelagic nation’s National Day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the celebrations as the Guest of Honour. Modi is currently on a three-day visit to Seychelles starting June 27, during which he will hold talks with President Patrick Herminie.
Indian Navy’s frontline warship INS Tarkash reached Victoria, Seychelles on June 26 during its ongoing operational deployment in the southwestern Indian Ocean Region, the Navy said.
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Indian Navy’s indigenously built Large Research Vessel (SVL) – INS Ikshak has arrived in Victoria as part of its operational deployment in the southwestern Indian Ocean Region and to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of Seychelles National Day, an Indian Navy spokesperson said on Saturday.
The ship reached the port of Victoria, the capital of the archipelago country, on June 26. An Indian Army official on Sunday said that the force contingent, comprising 32 personnel from the Assam Regiment and led by Captain Aryan H Deolekar, is preparing to participate in the celebrations on June 29.
India and Seychelles share long-standing historical ties. Over the years, the relationship has evolved into a strong strategic partnership encompassing defense cooperation, development, culture and trade, the army said.
“An Indian Navy marching contingent accompanied by a military band also joins the celebrations, reflecting the close and enduring defense partnership between the two countries,” the statement said.
The participation of Indian armed forces units in national celebrations of friendly foreign countries serves as a symbol of mutual trust, military camaraderie and shared determination towards strengthening bilateral relations, the Indian Army said.
He added that such engagements strengthen defense cooperation and underline India’s role as a reliable partner in promoting peace, stability and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Indian armed forces troops have previously represented the country at major international ceremonial events, including the 237th Bastille Day Parade in France in 2023, the Victory Day Parade in Bangladesh in 2021, and the Victory Day Parade in Russia in 2015 and 2020, it said.
The Army said India’s participation in the golden jubilee celebrations of Seychelles National Day “reaffirms the special partnership between the two countries and highlights the growing depth of bilateral relations across different sectors.”
Modi last visited Seychelles in 2015.
India and Seychelles share a long-standing partnership based on common historical, cultural and people-to-people ties.
An Indian Navy spokesman said the ships’ visit coincided with the Seychelles National Day celebrations and “underlined the enduring maritime partnership and close friendship between India and Seychelles”.
