India and Seychelles are expected to sign a number of agreements during President James Alix Michel's visit .Mr. James reached New Delhi tonight on a three days visit. <br/><br/>The visit is aimed at expanding the security and anti-piracy cooperation between the two countries. Mr. Michel, will hold talks with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on bilateral issues, including discussions on ways to enhance cooperation in anti-piracy operations.<br/><br/>An External Affairs Ministry spokesman described the ties between the two countries as close and friendly , underlined by mutual understanding. Eleborating on the anti piracy cooperation , he said that the two leaders will be focusing on security and defence collaboration between the two countries.<br/><br/>He said that Seychelles economy has been hit badly by the increasing incidents of attacks by Somali pirates on commercial ships, cruise liners and private boats, costing it around 8 billion euros a year.<br/><br/>The President, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil is hosting a banquet tomorrow at Rashtrapati Bhawan in honour of the visiting dignitary. <br/><br/>The Vice President, Mr. Mohammed Hamid Ansari, leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mrs. Sushma Swaraj and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Purneet Kaur will call on the visiting President and exchange views on the issues of mutual interest. <br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports a new initiative to further strengthen the bilateral partnership was finalised at the recently held joint commission meeting of the two countries and this initiative will be operationalised during the visit.