Victoria, June 28 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Seychelles National Assembly, Bernard Georges, said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit will encourage political leaders of the East African island country to look at India as an example of unity in diversity.

In his remarks at the National Assembly as PM Modi addressed a special session during his state visit, Georges expressed gratitude to India for the support given to Seychelles in various sectors over the past 50 years. Noting the political divide in Seychelles, he said that the opposition will not be present during the ceremonies to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of Seychelles National Day.

“We must nonetheless remain mindful of our respective strengths and, as friends, remain balanced partners, respectful of the independence of each other. It is with some regret that, in my capacity as the leader of the loyal opposition in this Assembly, I take this moment to mention that while our country celebrates its independence’s golden jubilee in the presence of your excellency and many other dignitaries, effusive declarations of unity and cooperation amongst our neighbours will necessarily be made. Our country remains politically divided at its core, so much so that the opposition will be absent from all ceremonies to mark the occasion.”

“If we are proud as a nation, and we are, each one of us, to have achieved what we have in such a short time, we are equally concerned that the direction of political travel our country has recently embarked upon is one which puts our very democracy at risk. My hope, and the hope of all my caucus, is that democracy being resilient, as your own political journey has demonstrated, your presence amongst us during your Excellency’s state visit will encourage our political leaders to look to India as an example of unity in diversity. On behalf of my caucus, and on my personal behalf, I thank India for its generosity to Seychelles in many and varied fields over five decades. And I wish Your Excellency a pleasant stay among us,” he added.

He highlighted that the fusion between the two nations spans the highest levels of the Seychelles government, encompassing positions from the former President to the Vice President. Lauding the role of the Indian diaspora in Seychelles’ economy, he said that the bulk of the construction industry is steered by Indian nationals.

“Our former President, our current Vice President, the member seated behind me and to my right, and my personal parliamentary assistant are testaments to the ethnic fusion between our two countries. Indeed, you will have been told by now that large segments of the wholesale and retail trade of our country are assured by Seshilva of Indian extraction, and the bulk of the construction industry is steered by Indian nationals and Indo-Seshilva entrepreneurs from your home state of Gujarat. In our own parliament, we have forged friendships and exchanges through the Seshilva India parliamentary friendship group, a bipartisan group of parliamentarians for the fostering of closer exchanges and greater cooperation. These, amongst many other ties which bind us, have ensured that our destinies are linked.”

Georges stated that PM Modi’s address in the National Assembly demonstrates the universal nature of the democratic process and the enduring relevance of parliamentary and participatory democracy as a system of governance.

“Thank you, Prime Minister, for your kind words to our Assembly this afternoon. It is always a pleasure to receive guests and a rare privilege to have such an august person as Your Excellency address our modest institution. The political head of the largest democracy, taking the time to speak at length and with passion to the members of one of the world’s smallest, underlines the universal nature of the democratic process and the enduring relevance of parliamentary and participatory democracy as a system of governance. As you said, our two countries share more than the ocean which takes its name from your country, our big neighbour to the north.”

–IANS

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