Seychelles opposition to block India military deal, despite possible $550m
Victoria, Seychelles — The Seychelles opposition coalition, which holds a majority in parliament, said on Tuesday it would not ratify a deal signed with India to build a military base on one of the archipelago’s outlying islands. The deal would see India invest $550m in building the base on Assumption island to help it ensure the safety of its vessels in the southern Indian Ocean. Indian soldiers would be deployed on the island which lies 1,135km south-west of the capital Victoria, and help train Seychelles’ troops. However, the deal has faced some resistance from locals, and Wavel Ramkalawan, head of the opposition Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS — Seychelles Democratic Union in Creole) said the coalition "will not ratify the Assumption deal. This deal is dead". The LDS has held a majority in parliament since its victory in 2016 legislative elections. On Monday, President Danny Faure said he would meet with Ramkalawan on March 26 to discuss the deal, which was agreed in principle in...
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