On the last leg of her two-day official visit in Seychelles, the first woman elected President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, met Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture.

Minister St.Ange was welcomed by President Patil at her presidential villa at Ephelia Resort.

During his discussions with the President of India, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture emphasized on the Indo-Seychelles relationship that already exists between the people of India and Seychelles.

Minister St.Ange presented President Patil with a dedicated souvenir book of the first edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria 2011 that showcases the significant moments of this unique manifestation of the Indian Ocean region.

Minister St.Ange also focused on the presence of the Indian community, delegations, and the Indian navy in the first and second editions of the carnival, which he described as excellent and said that “the presence of the Indian delegations in the carnival is important to Seychelles as it showcases the melting pot of cultures.”

Minister St.Ange said that it was “an honor to have had a one-to-one meeting with President Patil, and an opportunity for two people to speak openly about issues they both feel deeply about.”

President Patil extended her thanks to the Seychelles government for the warm welcome reserved for her official visit.

Going through the souvenir book of the carnival, she expressed an overwhelming interest in that cultural manifestation of Seychelles.

Minister St.Ange also briefed President Patil on the upcoming Routes Africa forum to be held in the Seychelles from July 8-10, 2012.

From her Presidential Villa, President Patil was accompanied by Minister St.Ange in the Presidential convoy to the Seychelles Botanical Gardens in the heart of Victoria, where she was welcomed by the Minister for Environment and Energy, Dr. Rolph Payet, and planted a coco-de-mer seed, one of the world’s biggest nuts and a species unique to Seychelles

That was before the President of India left Seychelles enroute for South Africa at the invitation of the South African President Jacob Zuma.