New Delhi, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Government of India has expressed gratitude to Seychelles for its swift assistance in rescuing 17 Indian fishermen whose fishing boat, IFB Sajira, suffered an engine failure in the high seas off the coast of the island nation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that the Seychelles authorities provided life-saving assistance to the fishermen after their vessel encountered technical trouble.
“Government of India expresses gratitude to the Government of Seychelles for its swift and life-saving assistance to 17 Indian fishermen aboard IFB Sajira, which suffered an engine failure in the high seas off the coast of Seychelles,” the MEA stated in a post on X.
The incident comes amid growing defence and maritime security cooperation between India and Seychelles, with New Delhi extending technical and logistical support to strengthen the island nation’s maritime capabilities.
In August, India handed over three repaired Dornier Main Electronic Units (MEUs), 18 sets of calibrated specialised aircraft tools, 50 safety helmets and seamanship ropes to the Seychelles Defence Force (SDF).
The equipment was handed over by India’s Defence Adviser, Captain Shravan Sareen, to Seychelles Defence Force Chief of Defence Forces Major General Michael Rosette.
According to the High Commission of India in Victoria, the electronic units were repaired and the specialised tools calibrated at Indian Navy facilities free of cost. The equipment is expected to support in-house testing and faster repairs of the Dornier aircraft fleet used by the Seychelles Air Force for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and search and rescue (SAR) operations.
The Indian mission also said that the safety equipment and seamanship gear would enhance personnel safety and operational readiness of the Seychelles Coast Guard.
Earlier, India’s High Commissioner to Seychelles, Rohit Rathish, handed over five laser radial boats to the Chief of Defence Forces of the Seychelles Defence Force. The handover fulfilled an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to the island nation in June.
The boats are intended to help strengthen the seamanship skills of Seychelles Defence Force personnel.
Prime Minister Modi undertook a three-day state visit to Seychelles in June at the invitation of President Patrick Herminie. During the visit, he handed over the PS Lespwar, a Made-in-India Fast Patrol Vessel, to the Seychelles Coast Guard.
The latest rescue highlights the maritime cooperation between the two countries in the Indian Ocean region.
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