Archive · 11 Aug 2026
India Hands Over Laser Radial Boats to Seychelles Defence Force
India is a country that helps its friend, Seychelles, which is a group of islands in the ocean.
India gave Seychelles five special small boats called laser radial boats.
These boats will help the sailors of Seychelles practice and get better at their skills.
The giving of these boats happened because India's leader, Prime Minister Modi, promised them when he visited Seychelles in June.
A helper from India, the High Commissioner, gave the boats to the leader of Seychelles' defence force.
India is also helping some police officers from Seychelles by teaching them special skills in a city called Kochi.
The officers will learn how to safely check boats at sea.
This is all part of India and Seychelles being good partners who help each other stay safe.
The two countries have been friends for a long time, and they want to keep working together for many more years.
India's High Commissioner to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, handed over five laser radial boats to the Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles Defence Force on Tuesday.
The handover fulfilled an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State Visit to Seychelles in June.
The boats will help build the seamanship skills of Seychelles Defence Force personnel, deepening the India-Seychelles defence and maritime partnership.
Five members of the Seychelles Police are heading to Kochi, India, to attend the Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Course at the Coast Guard Training Centre from 10-21 Aug 2026 under the Colombo Security Conclave.
PM Modi's three-day State Visit to Seychelles in June was at the invitation of President Patrick Herminie, who had undertaken a State Visit to India in February this year.
- Who
- India's High Commissioner to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, and the Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles Defence Force, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Patrick Herminie.
- What
- India handed over five laser radial boats to the Seychelles Defence Force to strengthen maritime cooperation and build seamanship skills.
- When
- The handover took place on a Tuesday, following PM Modi's State Visit to Seychelles in June; the VBSS course runs from 10-21 Aug 2026.
- Where
- The handover announcement was made from Victoria, Seychelles, and five Seychelles Police members are headed to Kochi, India, for training.
- Why
- The delivery fulfils Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement during his State Visit and reflects India's commitment to strengthening the capacities of the Seychelles Defence Force and deepening the defence and maritime partnership.
- Gifted Equipment
- Five laser radial boats
- Recipient Force
- Seychelles Defence Force (SDF)
- Purpose
- Build seamanship skills of SDF personnel
- Seychelles Police Trainees
- CPL Stephanie Agathe, CPL Dwayne Fred, PC Ricky Fred, PC Vince Hollanda, PC Johannes Servina
- Training Course
- Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Course, 10-21 Aug 2026
- Training Location
- Coast Guard Training Centre, Kochi, India
- Training Framework
- Colombo Security Conclave
- Relevant State Visits
- PM Modi visited Seychelles in June; President Herminie visited India in February this year