Article Posted on : - Jul 20, 2010

The Chetak helicopter.

NEW DELHI (PTI): India and Seychelles on Monday agreed to take forward their cooperation in tackling piracy in the Indian Ocean, with New Delhi assuring a new Dornier patrol aircraft and two Chetak helicopters to the island nation at the earliest.

The agreement was reached upon during Indian Defence Minister A K Antony's two-day visit to Seychelles, a Defence Ministry press release said here.

On request from Seychelles, India would also help it in carrying out surveillance operations in its maritime and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) and to build capacity of its armed forces.

The arrangement was worked out when Antony met Seychellois President James Alix Michel, Vice President Danny Faure, Foreign Minister Jean Paul Adam and Home Affairs Minister Joel Morgan in the Island nation, the release said.

Antony is in Seychelles leading a high-level delegation that includes Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar and Naval Vice Chief Vice Admiral D K Dewan.

During the interaction with Seychellois leadership, Antony said the piracy problem in the Gulf of Aden affected all countries and he also shared the concern of Seychelles on the increasing reach of the sea brigands.

“This is a problem, which calls for cooperation among all countries. The Indian Ocean links us all and is critical for our economic interests. We must cooperate to ensure peace and stability in this region,” Antony was quoted as saying.

He also reiterated India's assurance, as conveyed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during Michel's visit to New Delhi earlier this year, for continued cooperation in all fields, particularly in the field of Defence and Security.

The Prime Minister had announced $5 million assistance for defence-related projects for Seychelles then.

The Dornier and the two Chetak helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for maritime security would be over and above the Prime Minister's assurance, the release said.

Although the normal delivery time was 18 months to 24 months, India assured to supply the Dornier in 15 months and the helicopters at the earliest, the release added.

During this period – from now to delivery of the aircraft – India would provide one of her in-service Dornier to carry out maritime surveillance.

To a request from Seychelles leadership, Antony said India would help the island nation in surveillance of the EEZ "as frequently as possible" and the Indian Navy would also make additional visits this year for surveillance and hydro-graphic survey around it.

During the visits of the Indian warships, the Seychellois personnel would get the opportunity to go on board for maintenance training, drills and exercises, as a means to build their capacity.