PM Modi To Meet World's Oldest Living Animal During Landmark Seychelles Visit This Week
Rare wildlife encounter highlights PM Modi's Seychelles diplomatic visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Jonathan, recognised as the world's oldest living land animal, during his official visit to Seychelles from June 27 to 29. Modi is visiting the island nation at the invitation of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations marking the country's National Day as the Guest of Honour. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties while also highlighting Seychelles' unique natural heritage through a stop at the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens.
According to the official itinerary, the prime minister will visit the botanical gardens, where he is scheduled to plant a tree as part of the ceremonial programme. The visit is also expected to include an interaction with Jonathan, the giant tortoise widely recognised for his remarkable longevity. The meeting is likely to become one of the most notable moments of the visit, drawing attention to conservation efforts and the shared environmental priorities of India and Seychelles.
Jonathan is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living land animal and is estimated to be around 193 years old. Born in the early 1830s, the giant tortoise has lived through some of the most significant events in modern history, including the reigns of multiple British monarchs and two World Wars. Despite his extraordinary age, Jonathan continues to enjoy good health and remains an enduring symbol of longevity and wildlife conservation.
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The tortoise has lived on the grounds of the governor's residence on the island of Saint Helena since 1882, when he arrived as a gift to the British overseas territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. Over the decades, Jonathan has become one of the island's best-known residents and a major attraction for visitors. Veterinary experts who regularly monitor him have said that while he has lost his sense of smell because of old age and has limited eyesight, he continues to maintain a healthy appetite and remains active with dedicated care.
Modi's visit to Seychelles comes as India continues to deepen its engagement with strategically important nations in the Indian Ocean Region. New Delhi and Victoria share close ties across sectors such as maritime security, defence cooperation, capacity building, infrastructure development and the blue economy. India has been a longstanding development partner for Seychelles, supporting projects in healthcare, education, connectivity and coastal surveillance while expanding cooperation in regional security.
As the Guest of Honour at the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Prime Minister Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Patrick Herminie and other senior leaders to review the progress of existing partnerships and explore new avenues of cooperation. Alongside diplomatic engagements, his scheduled interaction with Jonathan is expected to add a distinctive and symbolic dimension to the visit, showcasing Seychelles' rich biodiversity and underscoring the importance of wildlife conservation as part of the broader relationship between the two countries.
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