Seychelles stalls project for Indian naval base

Seychelles stalls project for Indian naval base

News:

1. The Parliament of the Seychelles will not ratify India’s plan to build a naval base in the western Indian Ocean region.

Important facts:

2. Opposition members in Seychelles Parliament argued against India to build a naval base on this strategically located island of Assumption saying it would infringe on the country’s sovereignty.

3.The decision was announced at country’s President, Danny Faure’s visit in India.

4.Although the visit of Seychelles president will provide an opportunity to review wide-ranging bilateral cooperation between the two nations with focus areas:

• In the field of defence and security
• Development partnership.
• Seychelles has indicated that instead of allowing India to run the base, it would like to develop a coast guard facility at the Assumption.
• The Indian project was to include facility for Indian ships and an airstrip that would allow New Delhi to guard the energy lanes vital to India’s economy.

5. The agreement for the base was signed on January 27 when the former Foreign Secretary of India S. Jaishankar travelled to the country.