Indo-Seychelles relations have been characterized by close friendship, understanding and cooperation. Diplomatic ties were established with Seychelles at its independence (1976), but the links go back even earlier. An Indian naval ship INS Nilgiri was one of those, docked in Victoria harbour, along with French, British and Iranian ships to welcome Independence of Seychelles on 29 June 1976. An Indian Mission was established in 1979 in Victoria with the High Commissioner based in Dar-es-Salaam concurrently accredited to Seychelles. The first resident High Commissioner was placed in Victoria in 1987, while Seychelles opened its resident Mission in New Delhi in 2008 with HE Mr.Dick Esparon as its first High Commissioner.