Modi ends Seychelles visit with substantive outcomes on Indian Ocean ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his Seychelles visit after talks with President Patrick Herminie and National Day events. The visit underlined India's wider push across the Indian Ocean, humanitarian aid and regional diplomacy.

In Short

• Indian Army hospital in Venezuela began free round-the-clock services under Operation Amistad
• India and Saudi Arabia signed a pact on water resource management
• Andy Burnham pitched himself as Britain's circuit breaker for broad-based growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday concluded his three-day visit to Seychelles with what was described as 'substantive outcomes', after holding wide-ranging talks with President Patrick Herminie on boosting bilateral ties and advancing a shared vision for a safe and prosperous Indian Ocean region.

Other developments on Monday included an Indian Army field hospital becoming fully operational in earthquake-hit Venezuela, India and Saudi Arabia signing an agreement on water resource management, political messaging from the UK, and fresh security and diplomatic moves involving Pakistan and Afghanistan.

During his visit to Seychelles, Modi also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and met members of the Indian diaspora. He attended the golden jubilee celebrations of Seychelles' National Day as the Guest of Honour.

In Venezuela, an Indian Army field hospital deployed under Operation Amistad began full operations and is providing free round-the-clock medical services, officials said.

In Dubai, India and Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation on water resource management, according to an official statement.

In London, Andy Burnham, described as the UK's prime minister-in-waiting and set to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the next Labour leader, said he would give the country the 'circuit breaker' it needs for 'good growth' in every corner.

In Islamabad, Pakistan said its security forces killed 29 militants in a ground operation near the Afghan border and in subsequent cross-border strikes. The latest escalation also saw Islamabad and Kabul summon each other's charge d'affaires to lodge diplomatic protests.

In Karachi, authorities said 14 police personnel in Pakistan's Balochistan province were dismissed after an inquiry found they failed to offer any resistance when suspected militants stormed a police station in Gwadar and made away with a large cache of arms and ammunition.

Overall, the day saw Modi wrap up his Seychelles visit after talks and ceremonial engagements, while other developments ranged from India's overseas humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives to political and security updates from the UK and Pakistan.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends