In a major step towards strengthening India’s defense and maritime ties with African nations, the Indian Navy is set to conduct a large-scale joint maritime exercise with multiple African countries next month. This initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions—which was announced during his recent visit to Mauritius.
The exercise, named AIKEYME (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement), will be co-hosted by the Indian Navy and Tanzania’s People’s Defence Force off the coast of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, in mid-April. It will be inaugurated by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and is expected to enhance defense diplomacy and strategic partnerships between India and African nations.
Background: India’s Expanding Maritime Cooperation with Africa
India and Africa share a long history of maritime and defense cooperation, with increasing collaboration in maritime security, counter-piracy operations, surveillance, and information sharing. The Indian Ocean is a key region for global trade and security, and both India and African nations face common challenges such as:
· Piracy and maritime crime
· Illegal fishing and unregulated marine activities
· Maritime terrorism and arms smuggling
· Climate change-induced security threats, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events
Recognizing the strategic importance of Africa’s coastline, India has been actively engaging with African nations through bilateral and multilateral initiatives, including the India-Africa Defence Dialogue and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The AIKEYME naval exercise aims to significantly deepen these engagements and improve interoperability between the Indian Navy and African naval forces.
AIKEYME: Structure and Participating Nations
The AIKEYME exercise will span six days and will bring together the navies of multiple African nations. The countries participating in the exercise include: Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, India (Co-host), Tanzania (Co-host)
The exercise will be conducted in two phases, each focusing on different aspects of naval operations:
1. Harbour Phase (Onshore Training and Discussions)
This phase will focus on enhancing coordination between the participating navies through:
ü Table-top exercises on anti-piracy operations and information sharing
ü Command-post training for responding to maritime threats
ü Training on seamanship and best practices in naval operations
ü Workshops on emergency response mechanisms for handling maritime disasters
2. Sea Phase (Joint Naval Operations)
The sea-based component of AIKEYME will test the operational capabilities of the participating navies through a series of complex naval drills, including:
ü Joint search and rescue operations to enhance crisis response
ü Helicopter operations and maritime air surveillance
ü Seamanship evolutions and fleet maneuvering drills
ü Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations to counter piracy and illegal activities
ü Small-arms firing drills to improve combat readiness
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, emphasized that AIKEYME represents a major leap in defense cooperation between India and Africa. He stated that the exercise is designed to improve naval interoperability, enhance security coordination, and build mutual trust among the participating nations.
Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar: Another Major Initiative
Alongside AIKEYME, the Indian Navy has also announced another major initiative called Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar to further maritime cooperation with friendly nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
What is IOS Sagar?
Under this initiative, an Indian naval ship, INS Sunayna, will be deployed with a multinational crew consisting of personnel from: India, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, South Africa.
Mission and Deployment of INS Sunayna
· The ship will be deployed for over a month in April.
· It will undertake port calls at Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles), and Male (Maldives).
· Joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles will be conducted.
· The multinational crew will undergo a two-week training program at Indian naval professional schools in Kochi, followed by practical training at sea.
According to naval officials, IOS Sagar is a one-of-a-kind initiative, aimed at building lasting partnerships, strengthening regional security, and fostering greater cooperation between the navies of Indian Ocean countries.
Strategic Significance of AIKEYME and IOS Sagar
The launch of AIKEYME and IOS Sagar underlines India’s growing role as a maritime security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These initiatives serve multiple objectives:
· Strengthening Defense Ties – By conducting regular joint exercises, India is fostering deeper military relationships with African nations.
· Enhancing Regional Security – Countering threats such as piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing through coordinated action.
· Boosting Economic and Trade Relations – A secure maritime environment benefits trade, shipping, and economic exchanges between India and Africa.
· Promoting India’s Leadership in the Global South – MAHASAGAR and related initiatives help position India as a key development and security partner for African nations.
With AIKEYME and IOS Sagar, India is taking significant strides towards strengthening defense and security ties with African nations. These initiatives are expected to enhance maritime interoperability, improve crisis response mechanisms, and promote regional stability in the Indian Ocean.
As India continues to expand its engagement with Africa, these exercises not only bolster security cooperation but also lay the foundation for a long-term strategic partnership between India and the continent. Given the increasing geopolitical significance of the Indian Ocean Region, such initiatives will play a crucial role in ensuring a secure, stable, and prosperous maritime domain for all stakeholders.
(With inputs from agencies)
