The Seychelles follows a policy of what it describes as "positive" nonalignment and strongly supports the principle of reduced superpower presence in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles' foreign policy position has placed it generally toward the left of the spectrum within the Non-Aligned Movement. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, the People's Republic of China, Libya and Cuba maintain embassies in Victoria.
The government of the Seychelles withdrew diplomatic recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic on March 17, 2008, according to an official government source.
Trends The Seychelles government is one of the proponents of the Indian Ocean zone of peace concept and it has promoted an end to the United States presence on Diego Garcia. The country has adopted a pragmatic policy, however, and serves as an important rest and recreation stop for US ships serving in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
In its foreign relations, the Seychelles maximizes the benefits it receives from both China and India by taking advantage of those two countries' rivalry with respect to the strategic waterway in which the Seychelles exists.
Diplomatic relations List of countries which the Seychelles maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546474849505152—53545556575859606162636465666768697071727374757677787980818283848586878889—90919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113—114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166—167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181Unknown182Unknown
Bilateral relations
Americas Country Formal Relations BeganNotes12 April 1978On 26 April 2017 President Seychelles inaugurated the embassy of Seychelles in Havana.1 June 1986Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and Mexico established as of 1 June 1986 Mexico is accredited to the Seychelles from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Seychelles does not have an accreditation to Mexico.1 July 1976See Seychelles–United States relations Seychelles is accredited to the United States from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City. United States has an embassy in Victoria.
Asia Country Formal Relations BeganNotes30 June 1976See China–Seychelles relations
China has an embassy in Victoria. Seychelles has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Shanghai.29 June 1976See India–Seychelles relations Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and India established as of 29 June 1976
In an effort to reduce the increasing piracy in the nearby region, Seychelles requested the Indian Navy to carry out anti-piracy operations in her waters. This made India-Seychelles relations stronger. The Seychelles also praised the Indian Navy for their anti-piracy operations. India has a High Commission in Victoria. Seychelles maintains a High Commission in New Delhi.1 May 1987See Malaysia–Seychelles relations29 June 1976 and 24 August 1976See North Korea–Seychelles relations22 June 1995Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and Turkey established as of 22 June 1995 Embassy of Seychelles in Paris is accredited to Turkey. The Turkish Embassy in Nairobi is accredited to Seychelles. Trade volume between the two countries was US$25.4 million in 2019 (Turkish exports/imports: 17.7/7.7 million USD).16 August 1979President James Alix Michel's official visited to Vietnam in August, 2013. The statement says this is an official visit to Vietnam made by a high-ranking leader of Seychelles.
Europe Country Formal Relations BeganNotes1 July 1976Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and Cyprus established as of 1 July 1976 Both countries a members of the Commonwealth of Nations List of bilateral agreements. Cyprus is represented in Seychelles through its embassy in Muscat, Oman. Seychelles is represented in Cyprus through its High Commission in London, United Kingdom. Two countries are a member of La Francophonie.29 June 1976Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and France established as of 29 June 1976 France has an embassy in Victoria. Seychelles has an embassy in Paris. Seychelles claimed the French-owned Glorioso Islands in the Indian Ocean before the France–Seychelles Maritime Boundary Agreement. Both countries are members of La Francophonie.16 July 1980Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and Greece established as of 16 July 1980 Greece is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Seychelles is accredited to Greece from its embassy in Paris, France.30 June 1976See Russia–Seychelles relations
Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and the Soviet Union were established on 30 June 1976, a day after the island nation gained its independence from the United Kingdom. Russia has an embassy in Victoria. Seychelles is accredited to Russia from its embassy in Paris, France and maintains an honorary consulate in Saint Petersburg.10 March 1981Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and Switzerland established as of 10 March 1981 Both countries are full members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Seychelles is accredited to Switzerland from its embassy in Paris, France. Switzerland is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar. 29 June 1976 See Seychelles–United Kingdom relations
Seychelles established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 29 June 1976. Seychelles maintains a high commission in London. The United Kingdom is accredited to Seychelles through its high commission in Victoria.
The UK governed Seychelles from 1811 to 1968, when Seychelles achieved full independence.
Both countries share common membership of the Commonwealth, the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization, as well as the Eastern and Southern Africa–UK Economic Partnership Agreement. Bilaterally the two countries have an Economic Security Partnership. See also
List of diplomatic missions in Seychelles List of diplomatic missions of Seychelles
References
Further reading