Seychelles Envoy Urges Indian Firms to See Island as Strategic Hub
Harisoa Lalatiana Accouche, High Commissioner of Seychelles to India, on Saturday extended an invitation to Indian businesses to use the island nation's strategic location as a gateway to Africa. Speaking on the sidelines of the 17th Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2026 in New Delhi, she emphasized that Seychelles, despite its small size, can play a major role in connecting Africa with Asia and the Middle East. "Don't look at Seychelles as small, but look at the location where we can play a big, big role connecting many countries and many continents," she said.
PM Modi's Visit Bolsters Bilateral Momentum
The invitation comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent state visit to Seychelles, where he was the Guest of Honour for the 50th anniversary of the country's independence. Accouche described the visit as "very successful" and said it has generated momentum for stronger cooperation across sectors. "It has been not only a visit but a way to strengthen further the relations between Seychelles and India, which are based on historical links. It is not only about diplomatic relations but also people-to-people connectivity," she noted.
Focus on Trade and Investment
The High Commissioner revealed that PM Modi encouraged greater trade and commercial engagement between the two countries. "Prime Minister Modi encouraged us to increase the trade and commerce between the two countries and encouraged Indian investors and Indian businessmen to come to Seychelles," she said. Seychelles imports most of its goods and sees Indian investment as key to expanding its economic base. Accouche expressed confidence that bilateral relations will continue to deepen, particularly in business and people-to-people connections.
Strategic Location as Africa's Gateway
Highlighting Seychelles' geographical advantages, Accouche said the island nation can serve as a springboard for Indian businesses targeting African markets. "Africa is a big market between Asia and even the Middle East. So don't look at Seychelles as small, but look at the location where we can play a big, big role connecting many countries and many continents," she reiterated. The envoy noted that the focus is now on translating the momentum from PM Modi's visit into concrete cooperation across sectors.
