Seychelles and India, sister nations separated only by the Indian Ocean

Outgoing Indian High Commissioner Thanglura Darlong paid farewell call on President James Michel this morning (Mervyn Marie, Seychelles News Agency)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles is set to get a new Indian High Commissioner to ensure that the existing relations between the two countries continue to be strengthened.

This is now that the current Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles Thanglura Darlong, has come to the end of his 3 year mandate.

Darlong who has been in Seychelles since August 2011 paid a farewell call to Seychelles President James Michel today.

In a press statement from State House, Michel reaffirmed the islands’ support to India and assured Darlong that the excellent relations between the two close partners will continue to flourish as they continue to work together.

“India and Seychelles has traditionally always been very close. We have always consider ourselves sister nations, separated only by the Indian Ocean. I hope that we continue to build that bridge that connects our two nations. It is very important for us to work together and see how we can collaborate, in ensuring peace and security in our ocean, and as we take more ownership of our ocean. You have played a great part in reinforcing relations in different fields and India has always been there to help us in times of difficulties and also in our economic and social development,” President Michel.

For his part Darlong, Indian High Commissioner to be accredited to the Indian Ocean archipelago described his tenure in Seychelles as a ‘momentous assignment’, noting that the relationship between his country and Seychelles are very close adding that the cooperation is moving very smoothly and very strong in various sectors.

"It was an excellent assignment….very fruitful and meaningful. My President came here during my tenure and during this time cooperation with Seychelles were then strengthened in many areas including defense and security. Indian gifted a Dornier aircraft, and many other Indian ships came to help Seychelles in the anti-piracy operation on the seas for patrolling,” said Darlong.

The 14^th diplomat to be given the task of maintaining the India-Seychelles relationship is leaving the island nation at the beginning of June and his replacement is set to arrive in August.