The Lok Sabha Speaker held formal talks with the Speaker of Seychelles’ National Assembly on September 2, 2026, at Parliament House in New Delhi. The bilateral meeting brought together parliamentary leaders from the two countries to discuss strengthening democratic institutions and people-to-people connections. The discussions centred on marking fifty years of diplomatic relations and independence anniversaries for Seychelles.
What was discussed
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla welcomed Seychelles’ Speaker Azarel Yolanda Ernesta, noting her historic position as the first woman Speaker of that country’s National Assembly. He highlighted that India-Seychelles ties go beyond formal diplomacy, rooted instead in civilisational links spanning centuries, a significant Indian diaspora in Seychelles, and strong community bonds between citizens of both nations.
Birla pointed to shared democratic traditions as a foundation for the relationship. He noted particular enthusiasm in Seychelles for Indian spiritual practices, especially Yoga, and offered support from Indian instructors to expand its reach there. He also referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent state visit to Seychelles, during which Modi addressed an extraordinary sitting of Seychelles’ National Assembly—the first Indian Prime Minister to do so.
The Lok Sabha Speaker proposed expanding parliamentary cooperation through:
- Exchange visits of members between the two legislatures
- Training programmes through India’s Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) on legislative drafting and parliamentary procedures
- Collaboration on digital parliamentary technology, noting India’s paperless parliament system and AI-powered translation into 22 languages
- Joint work in health, infrastructure, renewable energy and digital transformation
- Enhanced cultural, educational and tourism ties
Seychelles’ Speaker responded that Indians were among the earliest settlers in the island nation and that Indian culture remains woven into its social fabric. She praised India’s parliamentary digitalisation efforts and expressed appreciation for India’s democratic traditions.
What this means for you
These talks signal closer institutional cooperation between Indian and Seychellois parliaments going forward. If you work in parliamentary administration, legislative drafting, or democratic governance, there may be opportunities for cross-country training exchanges through PRIDE. For those interested in India’s diplomatic engagement in the Indian Ocean region, this interaction underscores India’s emphasis on strengthening partnerships with island nations through shared cultural values and democratic practices.