India Gifts Fast Interceptor Boat To Seychelles Coast Guard

India has gifted a fast interceptor boat to Seychelles Coast Guard as a token of appreciation for their cooperation in the fight against maritime crime in the Indian Ocean.

Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard and Seychelles President James Michel met yesterday in Seychelles for the handing over of a fast interceptor boat which will be used for surveillance and defense in the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture said in a statement today.

President Michel thanked the Vice Admiral for the ongoing defense cooperation between the Coast Guards of the two countries.

“The new interceptor boat will further boost Seychelles’ capacity to protect our vast EEZ and combat maritime crime. India has been a faithful partner in Seychelles’ development. For that, we are grateful and thankful,” said President Michel said.

They also discussed other cooperation projects that will be implemented between the two countries in the effort of ensuring maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

The President also attended the hand-over ceremony of the boat which took place at the Seychelles Coast Guard base on Ile Perseverance. The hand-over of the vessel Hermes follows the visit of India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to Seychelles in March 2015 and the subsequent visit of President Michel to India in August 2015.