Enhanced maritime security in the Indian Ocean as part of Vision MAHASAGAR is among the 14 other outcomes of the State Visit
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
New Delhi, February 10, 2026
India and Seychelles agreed to boost maritime security in the Indian Ocean during the State Visit to India by the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal cites “enhanced maritime security in the Indian Ocean as part of Vision MAHASAGAR [Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions] among 14 other outcomes of the meeting”.
President Dr Herminie’s State Visit [from February 5 to 10] boosts co-operation in security, defence, trade, investment, and people-to-people ties, the spokesperson wrote on his official X social media handle @MEAIndia.
India and Seychelles maritime security hastens the crackdown on illegal fishing, smuggling and attacks by pirates against commercial ships in the Indian Ocean.
The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report states 137 piracy incidents globally in 2025, up from 116 in 2024 and 120 in 2023.
The IMB report includes 121 boardings, four hijacking, gunfire attack on two ships, and ten attempted attacks. The report says Singapore Straits suffered the highest number of attacks by pirates.
The Dubai-based British Royal Navy’s security co-ordination centre United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation [UKMTO] analysis in June 2025 reports, “resurgence of piracy in the Indian Ocean, especially in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somalian coast”.
The Indian Navy and the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region [IFC-IOR] have not released data on pirate attacks on commercial ships in the Indian Ocean in 2025.
The State Visit of President Dr Herminie follows the visit of Vice President of India C P Radhakrishnan to Seychelles on October 26 and 27 last year.
On behalf of the Government of India, the Vice President attended the swearing-in ceremony of Dr Herminie President-elect of Seychelles.
