**Executive Summary**
The Defence Secretary of India met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs & Diaspora and the Chief of Defence Forces of Seychelles in New Delhi on February 10, 2026. Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation and enhancing security in the Indian Ocean Region. They also welcomed the upcoming joint military exercise LAMITYE - 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Defence Cooperation:**
* Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between India and Seychelles.
* They reviewed the growing defence and security collaboration between the two nations.
* They committed to enhancing bilateral engagement to contribute to peace, stability, and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
* **Military Exercises and Engagements:**
* Both sides welcomed the upcoming joint military exercise LAMITYE - 2026 between the Indian and Seychelles Defence Forces.
* They agreed to further enhance the scope and depth of capacity building initiatives.
* **Areas of Cooperation:**
* Cooperation will focus on training, hydrography, ships and aircraft visits, defence delegation visits, and maritime security.
* India welcomed Seychelles' participation in the upcoming International Fleet Review and the 2026 edition of exercise Milan in Visakhapatnam.
* **Strategic Vision:**
* Both sides discussed MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), India's vision for inclusive, cooperative, and sustainable security and growth across regions.
* They emphasized a collaborative approach to addressing shared challenges, particularly in the maritime domain, capacity building, and development partnerships.
* Deliberations focused on future avenues for defence and security cooperation between India and Seychelles, with a focus on continued cooperation in capacity building through long term partnership in the modernization of key military capabilities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Defence Forces**
* **Impact:**
* Increased collaboration and engagement with the Seychelles Defence Forces.
* Participation in joint military exercises and capacity building initiatives.
* Opportunity to strengthen regional security in the Indian Ocean.
* **Action Required:**
* Prepare for and participate in joint military exercise LAMITYE - 2026.
* Continue to collaborate on capacity building initiatives.
**Stakeholder: Seychelles Defence Forces**
* **Impact:**
* Strengthened defence cooperation with India.
* Participation in joint military exercises and capacity building initiatives.
* Opportunity to modernize key military capabilities through partnership with India.
* **Action Required:**
* Prepare for and participate in joint military exercise LAMITYE - 2026.
* Participate in the upcoming International Fleet Review and exercise Milan 2026.
* Continue to collaborate on capacity building initiatives.
**Stakeholder: Indian Ocean Region**
* **Impact:**
* Enhanced peace, stability, and security through increased defence cooperation between India and Seychelles.
* Potential for more effective responses to maritime security challenges.
* **Action Required:**
* Monitor and support the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives between India and Seychelles.
Key Entities Referenced
Seychelles: Island country involved in defense cooperation with India.
Ministry of Defence: Indian government ministry, primary entity involved in the discussions.
New Delhi: Location where the meeting between Indian and Seychelles officials took place.
LAMITYE - 2026: Upcoming joint military exercise between India and Seychelles.
MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions): India's vision for security and growth across regions, discussed during the meeting.
Ministry of Defence
Defence Secretary calls on Seychelles’ Minister
for Foreign Affairs & Diaspora and Chief of
Defence Forces in New Delhi
Both sides agree to enhance defence cooperation, reaffirm
shared commitment towards peace, stability & security in
Indian Ocean Region
Posted On: 10 FEB 2026 5:18PM by PIB Delhi
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh called on Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora of the
Republic of Seychelles Mr Barry Faure and Chief of Defence Forces, Seychelles Defence Forces Major
General Michael Anselme Marc Rosette in New Delhi on February 10, 2026. During the meeting, both
sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations. They
reviewed the growing defence and security collaboration between India & Seychelles, and reaffirmed their
shared commitment to enhancing bilateral engagement and contributing towards peace, stability, and
security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Both sides also welcomed the upcoming joint military exercise LAMITYE - 2026 between the Indian
Defence Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces & capacity building initiatives, and agreed to further
enhance the scope and depth of these engagements. Cooperation in the field of training, hydrography,ships and aircraft visits, defence delegation visits and maritime security were also discussed. The Defence
Secretary welcomed the participation of the Seychelles side in the upcoming International Fleet Review as
well as the 2026 edition of exercise Milan in Visakhapatnam next week.
The two sides also discussed MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth
Across Regions), India’s vision for inclusive, cooperative, and sustainable security and growth across
regions. They underscored the importance of a collaborative approach to addressing shared challenges,
particularly in the maritime domain, capacity building, and development partnerships. They deliberated
upon future avenues for defence and security cooperation between India & Seychelles, with a focus on
continued cooperation in capacity building through long term partnership in the modernisation of key
military capabilities.
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