President Patil calls peace and security as major factors for development

Victoria (Seychelles), May 1 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has underscored the need for 'peace and security' as major factors required for development.

"Peace and security will always remain, the primary pre-condition for development and an able and sustainable peace can only be achieved by curbing the actions of violence, conflicts and terror," Patil said in her address to the national assembly of Seychelles.

She also appreciated Seychelles' initiatives to fight rampant piracy.

"The issue of piracy, though not new, have brought a dimension through the threat it poses to the peaceful Indian Ocean. This is affecting India as well as Seychelles and many other countries by threatening security our sea-links of trade and communication. India acknowledges immense and conviction demonstrated by Seychelles in tackling the problem of piracy," she said.

Earlier, both the countries signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) including one on police research under which police personnel of the island republic will receive training from India to combat piracy and other challenges.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Patil and her Seychelles counterpart James Michel.

Patil invited her Seychelles counterpart Michel to visit India, which he has accepted. Michel's India visit will take place on mutually convenient dates.

During her two-day visit, President Patil is being accompanied by Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot and parliamentarians Prabha Thakur and Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, senior officials of different ministries and a 41-member of business delegation.

Patil is also scheduled to visit South Africa to reaffirm India's strong commitment to broadening ties. (ANI)