Relations between India and Seychelles are rooted in historical, cultural, and maritime ties   DR LOKESH KUMAR   In the 21st century, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has emerged as a key hub for global politics, industry, and security. Approximately 80 per cent of the world's maritime oil trade and one-third of global maritime trade pass through the Indian Ocean. Consequently, the strategic importance of the small island nations located in this region is steadily increasing.  Although Seychelles—an archipelago of 115 islands—is geographically small, it possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of nearly 1.3 million square kilometres.