Seychelles says it would be 'rock of dependability' for India

Victoria, Seychelles, Apr 30 (PTI) Seychelles, a strategically located archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, today assured India that it would be a "rock of dependability" for New Delhi in the area and thanked it for the support in combating piracy. During a meeting with Indian President Pratibha Patil who is in Seychelles on an official visit, her Seychellian counterpart James Michel thanked India for supporting his country in the fight against piracy. "We thank India for all its support in the fight against piracy. Our armed forces work together very effectively," Michel said. Michel said Patil's visit emphasised the importance that the two countries placed on their bilateral relations and Seychelles has positioned itself "as a rock of dependability for India in the Indian Ocean region". "India can always count on Seychelles and I know that we can always count on India. We share a strategic partnership and also a natural partnership," he said. President Patil also thanked Seychelles for supporting India at various international fora including its backing for India's candidature in a reformed United Nations Security Council. The two countries also signed two MoUs including one on police research under which police personnel of the island republic will receive training from India to combat piracy and other challenges. The MoUs were signed in the presence of President Patil and her Seychelles counterpart Michel. The MoUs were signed by India's Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot and Seychelles Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam. The second MoU was on cooperation in youth and sports affairs. President Patil arrived here yesterday on the first leg of her two-nation visit to boost India's friendly ties with the African country. She goes from here to South Africa tomorrow on a week-long visit. This is the second Indian presidential visit to Seychelles, the strategically located island in Indian Ocean, after that of President R Venkataraman way back in 1989. India has assured Seychelles that it was determined to work together to ensure a secure environment and counter the Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. "The Indian Ocean is a strong bond between us. We are committed to work together closely in order to ensure the safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region in the face of threats of piracy and terrorism," Patil had said yesterday. India has provided defence equipment and gifted a naval patrol vessel "INS Tarmugli" in 2005. It also has Maritime and Naval advisors in this strategic island country. Indian Navy is actively engaged in patrolling the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone against Somali pirate activities. An Indian Naval Dornier aircraft is currently stationed here to assist Seychelles in the anti-piracy operations. PTI Caption for pic: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and her Seychelles' counterpart James Alex Michel during a meeting in Victoria, Seychelles on Monday. PTI Photo