India and Seychelles sign agreement for bilateral investment protection

New Delhi, June 2 (ANI): The President of the Republic of Seychelles, James Alix Michel, who is on a three-day visit to India, met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday and the duo signed an agreement for bilateral investment protection.

President Michel, who arrived here on Tuesday, received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Wednesday.

The visiting President earlier today said security matters, especially piracy in the Indian Ocean are main concerns for the two nations, adding that building up further co-operation and enhancing relations between India and Seychelles is of prime importance.

"This visit is primarily to further enhance the excellent relations that exist between India and Seychelles. We are neighbours and India is our natural partner and I think it is only natural that we extend visits and to share our experiences and also to built on future co-operation and enhance our relationship," he said.

President Michel elaborated on the security challenges ahead of the two nations in the Indian Ocean.

"Also build up a friendly relation that exists between us and see how we can collaborate more on issues, also relating to the challenges that we have in our oceans. Indian Ocean is our ocean, so we have to get together and see how we can meet the common interest and piracy is one of them," he said.

The visiting President also met Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on Wednesday and the duo reportedly discussed issues of mutual interest.

This is President Michel's second visit to India. He had earlier visited India in 2005. (ANI)