Victoria: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Peace Park in Seychelles on Monday and also interacted with members of Indian diaspora who had gathered to welcome him.
Members of Indian diaspora carrying the Tricolour chanted “Modi Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” as they welcomed the Prime Minister.
PM Modi spoke to children gathered there to welcome him.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi offered prayers at Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple. He also interacted with Indian community members gathered outside the temple.
Ahead of his visit to the temple, Indian community members expressed excitement and said they were eagerly looking forward to welcoming him.
Speaking to IANS, several members of the Indian community said extensive preparations had been made for the Prime Minister’s visit.
One community member said, “We are very happy that Prime Minister Modi is visiting us on the occasion of the 50th National Day. All the arrangements have been made smoothly. We will pray at the temple for his long life and wish that he continues serving the people of India. We have also organised cultural programmes to welcome him.”
Dhanlakshmi, another member of the Indian diaspora, said she felt honoured by the Prime Minister’s visit. “I work closely with the government on several initiatives. We also hope that, given the strong bilateral relationship between India and Seychelles, the Indian government will support the temple’s infrastructure development,” she said.
On Sunday, PM Modi attended the National Day celebrations of Seychelles as the Guest of Honour, during his State visit to the archipelagic island.
PM Modi arrived in Seychelles on Saturday at the invitation of the President of Seychelles, Patrick Herminie.
Earlier on Sunday, PM Modi was conferred the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, Seychelles’ highest distinction for leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The award acknowledges PM Modi’s long-standing push for sustainable growth and his green vision.
He also addressed the National Assembly of Seychelles and held talks with Patrick Herminie on Sunday.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Seychelles share a longstanding partnership rooted in shared historical, cultural and people-to-people ties.
As a key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean region, Seychelles holds a special place in India’s Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and our commitment to the Global South.
(IANS)
