Seychelles

Seychelles visit over, President heads to S Africa

Victoria: President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday left for South Africa on the second leg of her nine-day tour after concluding her "landmark" visit to Seychelles which hailed India's support in tackling piracy and thanked New Delhi for extending a USD 75 million financial package for it.

Seychelles President James Michel, who hosted a Cocktail Dinatoire in Patil's honour on Monday evening, said that whether it be in terms of defending the peace and security of "our ocean against pirates, or in strengthening our ability to empower the economic potential of our respective peoples, Seychelles and India have shown we can act together decisively".

"We thank India for her support in patrolling our waters, in assisting in air surveillance and not least, the positioning of an advanced radar system to ensure that our ocean becomes once again a space for development, and not a highway of anarchy," he said.

Asserting that India and Seychelles stand firm in the face of the "scourge" of piracy, he said: "We all know that this ocean is vast - and pirates have used this size as their weapon. But we know that our partnership and friendship are enduring and can provide the determination to overcome such challenges."...more    

President dismisses criticism of foreign visits

New Delhi: As the UPA continues to consult its allies on who should be India's next President, Pratibha Patil on Sunday embarked on her last overseas tour as the Head of State. Patil left for the Seychelles and South Africa. This will be her 22nd overseas visit. She has dismissed criticism over the large number of her foreign visits, insisting that they were not on her own volition but at...  

China to set up military base in Indian Ocean

Beijing: In a move that may cause unease in India, China on Monday announced that it will set up its first military base abroad in the Indian Ocean island of Seychelles to "seek supplies and recuperate" facilities for its Navy. The naval fleet may seek supplies or recuperate at appropriate harbours in Seychelles or other countries as needed during escort missions, Chinese Defence Ministry announced on Monday. China has already...  

India positions naval aircraft in Seychelles

New Delhi: India on Thursday said it has deployed a naval aircraft in the Seychelles to carry out surveillance of the Indian Ocean island nation's territorial waters as part of anti-piracy efforts. "Indian Navy has deployed a Dornier (aircraft) to the Seychelles under a government-to-government memorandum of understanding. The Dornier is stationed at Victoria, capital of the Seychelles, and will be operated for exclusive economic zone surveillance and anti-piracy patrols,"...  

Bharti Airtel to buy Telecom Seychelles

New Delhi: Continuing its acquisition spree in the international market, Bharti Airtel on Wednesday said the company will acquire 100 per cent stake in Telecom Seychelles for USD 62 million (about Rs 288 crore). The acquisition comes on heels of Bharti acquiring Zain Telecom's Africa assets for USD 10.7 billion, for which the deal was closed in June. "The Board of Directors has approved the acquisition deal on Wednesday morning,"...  

Bharti to launch 3G services overseas

Bharti, with its Seychelles venture, becomes first Indian telecommunication company to launch 3G services overseas. ...