(Seychelles News Agency) - The newly accredited Indian High Commissioner to Seychelles said he will concentrate on the blue economy and how both countries can best utilise marine and ocean resources.

High Commissioner Ausaf Sayeed made the statement after he presented his letter of accreditation to Seychelles’ President Danny Faure at State House on Tuesday.

“It is very important that we work together to ensure that we utilise the resources of the ocean in a manner which leads to sustainable development because both of our countries have commitments towards climate change,” said Sayeed.

He added that it is also important to work together to make the Indian Ocean a zone of peace, security and stability.

Talking on the Indian Ocean RIM Association, he said that “we [need to] develop understanding with all ocean-based nations so as to keep this region free from piracy, poaching and conflicts.”

Indian High Commissioner Ausaf Sayeed and Seychelles' President Danny Faure outlined several areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. (Jude Morel, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

The relationship between Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, and India goes back over seven decades.

Sayeed told journalists that he aims at taking the bilateral levels between the two countries to new heights. The new High Commissioner said he will continue with collaboration and cooperation in the field of defense since “India considers Seychelles as a very important strategic partner”.

“I will try to build on the agreements that we have already wisely decided to do together,” said Sayeed.

Agriculture, healthcare, education, public housing, renewable energy, marine development, and, science and technology are other areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries that were outlined.

The newly accredited High Commissioner will be based at Le Chantier, in Victoria, the capital of Seychelles for a three year term.