The inaugural Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (Aikeyme) exercise is currently underway off the coast of Tanzania, marking a significant milestone in maritime cooperation between India and multiple African nations.
The six-day naval exercises are being co-hosted by Tanzania and include eight other countries which have coastlines on the Indian Ocean, including Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, and South Africa. The exercises will focus on counter-piracy operations as India seeks to position itself as the security partner of choice in the region.
The exercise officially commenced on April 13 in Dar-es-Salaam, with the sea phase beginning on Wednesday, April 16. This event, described by the Indian Ministry of Defence as a crucial step in strengthening ties, aims to enhance collaboration in addressing shared maritime security challenges.
The opening ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Tanzania’s Minister of Defence and National Service, Sanjay Seth, India’s Minister of State for Defence, and Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.
The Chief of Defence Force of the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force was also present, underscoring the importance of the event. In her address, Dr. Tax emphasized the necessity of collective action to combat maritime threats such as piracy and trafficking.
She called for a collaborative effort towards maritime security by like-minded partners and highlighted the goal of establishing an enduring framework of maritime security, including innovation and information sharing. She also reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to hosting future editions of Aikeyme and expressed the nation’s broader dedication to collaborative regional cooperation beyond military affairs.
Sanjay Seth echoed the sentiment of unity, quoting an African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” He expressed hope for a life-long partnership, invoked India’s maritime vision, Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR), and thanked Tanzania for co-hosting Aikeyme 25.
India has long sought to leverage its relationships in Africa in order to further a broad range of geopolitical and economic interests. India and African countries are united in their desire to reform global governance structures, for example, with India helping to secure permanent membership for the African Union in the G20 during its presidency of the group in 2023.
The Indian Navy’s participation in the exercise is represented by two key vessels: the Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyer INS Chennai and the Shardul-class tank landing ship INS Kesari, which arrived in Tanzania on April 10 and 11, respectively. Additionally, the Indian Ocean Ship Sagar was present for the inaugural ceremony.
As part of the IOS Sagar initiative, which aims to enhance cooperation with Indian Ocean Region nations, the Saryu-class patrol vessel INS Sunayna is deployed to the Southwest Indian Ocean Region from April 5 to May 8. INS Sunayna carries a combined crew of Indian and foreign personnel from Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
The vessel made a stop in Dar-es-Salaam on April 12 for Aikeyme before departing for Nacala, Mozambique, two days later.
Aikeyme 25, meaning ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, is a six-day exercise involving India, Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa. The harbour phase, which took place from April 13 to 15, featured joint training sessions for Indian Navy and Tanzanian Navy personnel.
These sessions, conducted by INS Kesari and a specialist team from INS Chennai, covered critical areas such as damage control, fire fighting, seamanship evolutions, small arms handling, and boat procedures. Additionally, a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) and Command Post Exercise (CPX) were held at the Shule Ya Ubaharia (Naval Training School) in Dar-es-Salaam. The harbour phase also included a defence exposition where 22 Indian firms showcased advanced technologies, including surveillance and communication systems.
The sea phase, which began on April 16, focuses on a range of operations, including seamanship evolutions, search and rescue missions, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) procedures, small arms firing, and helicopter operations.
Approximately 10 ships are participating in the drills, supported by an Indian Navy P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft. The exercise is set to conclude on Friday, April 18. Providing context for the exercise, the Indian Navy highlighted the shared importance India and African nations place on maritime security.
Both regions have reiterated their commitment to increasing cooperation in tackling threats such as piracy, illegal trafficking, and unregulated fishing through information sharing and surveillance. Aikeyme is a direct initiative to enhance interoperability among navies and maritime agencies, fostering a more coordinated response to these challenges.
This year’s inaugural exercise takes place amid a complex geopolitical landscape. China’s growing economic, military, and political influence in Africa, coupled with a resurgence of piracy off the Horn of Africa and ongoing threats from Houthi rebels to global shipping, underscores the strategic importance of such engagements.
Over the past decade, India has actively engaged with African navies through joint operations, port visits, and strengthened bilateral security ties, particularly with Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania. India has also supplied patrol boats to Mozambique and participated in exercises like Ibsamar VIII with Brazil and South Africa off the Cape coast last year.
Recognizing Africa’s eastern coastal waters as part of its security perimeter, India has deepened its relations with key nations in the region. To bolster maritime security in the western Indian Ocean, including the Gulf of Aden and the Mozambique Channel, India has established monitoring stations in northern Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
These efforts reflect India’s commitment to safeguarding vital sea lanes and enhancing regional stability through collaborative defence initiatives like Aikeyme.
