Government of India formally handed over a Patrol Boat to Seychelles Defence Forces in an official commissioning ceremony on 25 February 2025 in the presence of President of the Republic of Seychelles H.E. Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, Vice President H.E. Mr Ahmed Afif, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism H.E. Mr Sylvestre Radegonde and Minister of Interior H.E. Mr Errol Fonseka.

2.       The new vessel, PB Boudeuse, was handed over by Mr Kartik Pande, High Commissioner of India to Seychelles to Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Seychelles Defence Forces. The ceremony was also attended by the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Chief of Staff, Commander of Seychelles Coast Guard and officers of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) along with representatives from the Seychelles Ports Authority, Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority and High Commission of India including Defence Advisor Captain V Shirdikant. 

3.       The commissioning of PB Boudeuse reinforces the cordial bilateral relations between India and Seychelles, especially the robust defence ties oriented towards greater maritime security of the region. This reaffirms the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in Region) vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that aims to strengthen maritime security of Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific in the face of growing maritime security challenges as well as promote a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and adherence of UNCLOS. The handing over of PB Boudeuse to the Seychelles Coast Guard would enhance the capability of Seychelles Coast Guard towards keeping the EEZ of the Seychelles safe from maritime threats.

4.       India and Seychelles share a cordial bilateral defence relationship. India has partnered Seychelles for augmenting maritime security of the IOR through provision of several defence assets on grant basis to the SDF including PS Constant, PS Topaz and most recently PS Zoroaster in 2021. Two Dornier aircrafts have also been gifted to Seychelles Air Force in 2013 and 2018. The defence ties are further strengthened by capacity building courses under ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) for defence and civil officers. PB Boudeuse is a 27 metre Fast Interceptor Boat capable of a maximum speed of 45 knots, gifted by Government of India to SDF replacing the old PB Hermes gifted by India in 2016.

25 February 2025

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