Maritime & Blue Economy Deal-Making: PM Narendra Modi wrapped up his Seychelles state visit with “substantive outcomes,” including 19 agreements across maritime security, digital payments, healthcare, agriculture, education and space, plus a $175m development package and a Made-in-India patrol vessel handover. Climate Leadership Award Row: Seychelles conferred its new “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” environmental honour on Modi, but opposition and social media users questioned the award’s rushed creation after spelling mistakes and claims of an AI-generated certificate surfaced. Digital Payments Push: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said UPI is targeted to be operational in Seychelles by year-end, aiming to deepen financial connectivity. Biodiversity in the Spotlight: Modi also visited the giant tortoise enclosure and planted a Coco de Mer sapling, while gifts to leaders included a Muradabadi brass tortoise and orchid-themed art linking culture to conservation. Plastic Pollution Talks: India’s UNEP delegation urged consensus-led, plastic-pollution-only scope for the global instrument, with country-driven implementation and support for developing nations. Health Watch: A Bulgaria report warned that imported mosquito-borne diseases can arrive via travellers, noting chikungunya linked to Seychelles and urging repellents and covered skin. Regional Context: Coverage also highlighted Seychelles-China tourism and people-to-people exchanges as cooperation expands beyond infrastructure and services. Local Business Note: Maritimo appointed KJM Marine as its exclusive dealer across the GCC and selected Middle East/Indian Ocean territories, including Seychelles.