India also announced a $100 million credit for the Indian Ocean archipelago nation to buy defence equipment from it.India is also handing over a Dornier maritime surveillance aircraft to the archipelago nation. The joint project ran into trouble after recent reports from the island nation of it cancelling the 2015 pact with India.The fresh consensus between India and Seychelles on the project indicates that the revised deal — inked in January by both the countries for “development, management, operation and maintenance of facilities” on the Assumption Island — may be tweaked or re-negotiated in the days to come to make it acceptable to both, the government and the Opposition parties in Seychelles. Mr Faure had recently reportedly told his country that Seychelles would build the facilities at Assumption Island itself.India is keen on developing the Assumption Island in the Indian Ocean as a naval base to expand its footprint in the strategically-key region where China has been trying to enhance its military presence.Mr Modi said the Dornier aircraft will be handed over to Seychelles on Tuesday.Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Faure said, “In the context of maritime security, the Assumption Island was discussed.

The two nations also signed six pacts in areas including culture, cyber security, maritime safety and security cooperation, diplomacy, infrastructure development. In a goodwill gesture, Seychelles has gifted a pair of giant Aldabra tortoises to India.. Opposition parties in Seychelles had reportedly objected to the project fearing that it would affect the sovereignty of their nation. SRIDHAR KUMARASWAMI Published: Jun 26, 2018, 1:48 am IST Updated: Jun 26, 2018, 1:48 am IST President Faure had reportedly caved in to Opposition protests due to which the agreement could not be ratified by the Parliament there.The two countries have also agreed to “elevate their bilateral relationship to a more comprehensive partnership of a greater strategic importance”. He added that the aircraft would be in Seychelles at its National Day celebrations on June 29. Gearbox bearings Seychelles President Danny Faure plays the sitar while singing a patriotic Seychellois song during a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.