28/06/2018
India gifts plane to Seychelles Dornier maritime patrol aircraft
India on Tuesday gifted a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft to Seychelles, which will increase the island nation’s surveillance capabilities.
India has also announced a $100 million credit for Seychelles to buy military hardware from India.
The Do-228 aircraft, built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was formally handed over by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Seychelles President Danny Faure
The aircraft would help to bolster the coastal surveillance of Seychelles and the policing of its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone.
The aircraft is expected to be flown at the 42nd Independence Day celebrations of Seychelles on June 29.
It will be operated by men of the Seychelles Air Force, who have been trained in its operation and maintenance.
Giant Aldabra tortoise
Seychelles has gifted pair of Giant Aldabra tortoise to India as a goodwill gesture.
They were brought to India as gift from the President of Seychelles Danny Faure
The pair was handed over to Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad after Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in New Delhi gave permission to house them.
They have been kept under quarantine at Nehru Zoological Park and will continue to be under observation for 30 days, after which they will be released into enclosure for public view
Gifting or giving Aldabra tortoise on loan to friendly countries is a part of the Seychellois diplomacy.
Enlighten about Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Aldabra Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) is endemic to Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified this species of tortoises as Vulnerable in its Red List of Threatened Species.
It is said to be one of the largest species of tortoises on planet and also one of the world’s longest living animals (can live above 200 years)
Aldabra Atoll has been protected from human influence and is home to around 100,000 giant tortoises, the world’s largest population of the animal.
