India hands over HAL Do-228 aircraft to Seychelles

New Delhi [India], June 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday handed over "world-class, state-of-art" second Dornier aircraft HAL Do-228 to Seychelles President Danny Faure, on behalf of India.

The second Dornier aircraft was gifted to Seychelles following the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to handover the same.

Swaraj said that the gift would ensure, "quantum enhancement in maritime reconnaissance and will contribute in keeping Seychelles free from maritime threats."

"I wish Dornier a smooth, turbulence-free flight across the waters covering the two countries. I will also wish President Danny Faure, warms greetings and felicitation on occasion of National Day of Seychelles" Swaraj added.

She reiterated the phrase given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "SAGAR- Security and Growth for all in the region".

While calling India and Seychelles strong security partners, Swaraj affirmed that "India remains committed to supporting Seychelles' capacity-building, especially in the field of maritime security."

Further President of Seychelles termed it as "another milestone in (Indo-Seychelles) defense relations."

"The second Dornier would bolster the coastal surveilliance of Seychelles' extensive and exclusive economic zone of 1.4 million square kilometers," President Faure said.

He recounted the event when the first Dornier aircraft was gifted to Seychelles' Air Force in 2013.

"The first Dornier has been assisting Seychelles coast guard in rescue operations, air surveillance. India has donated three naval vessels to Seychelles" President Faure said.

General Dr VK Singh Retd Union Home Minister who was also present with the two leaders handed over the aircraft's symbolic key to President Faure.

The Do- 228, manufactured by HAL is equipped with combination of 360 deg Surveillance Radar, Forward Looking Infra-Red System, Satellite Communication, Traffic Collision and Avoidance System, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System and host of other customer specified sensors.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2003 between India and Seychelles to cement bilateral defense relations.

The President is on a six-day visit to India as part of which he met his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind who hosted a banquet in his honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Both countries also signed multiple Memoranda of Understanding in the fields of data sharing, culture, information technology, and education. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI