Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday began his three-day official visit to Seychelles with a distinctive first engagement lined up in the island nation — a meeting with Jonathan, recognised as the world’s oldest living land animal.

PM Modi will attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the country’s National Day as the Chief Guest, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Indian Ocean archipelago.

One of the highlights of the visit will be the Prime Minister’s scheduled interaction with Jonathan, an approximately 194-year-old Aldabra Giant tortoise. Jonathan lives at the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens and holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest living land animal. Though his exact age remains unverified, he has significantly outlived the species’ average lifespan.

The meeting is being viewed as a symbolic gesture reflecting themes of heritage, sustainability and conservation — priorities that have increasingly featured in India-Seychelles engagement.

VISIT TO BOTANICAL GARDENS, TREE PLANTATION PLANNED

After arriving in Seychelles, PM Modi will proceed to the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens, where he is also scheduled to participate in a tree plantation ceremony.

The engagement is expected to underscore shared commitments towards environmental preservation, biodiversity protection and climate resilience in the Indian Ocean region.

NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS, COAST GUARD PROGRAMME ON AGENDA

During the visit, PM Modi will participate in engagements linked to Seychelles’ National Day celebrations and attend a programme at the Seychelles Coast Guard Base.

India and Seychelles have maintained close cooperation in maritime security and regional stability, making defence and security an important pillar of bilateral ties.

BILATERAL TALKS WITH PRESIDENT PATRICK HERMINIE

The Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie to review and expand cooperation across sectors, including maritime security, blue economy, climate action and defence.

A contingent of Indian defence personnel and Indian Navy ships will also take part in the National Day commemorations.

PM Modi last visited Seychelles in 2015, and officials say the current visit is expected to further strengthen people-to-people ties and open new avenues for economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

– Ends

Published By:

Akash Chatterjee

Published On:

Jun 27, 2026 02:57 IST