India and ten African nations are set to launch their first joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean this April.
This significant military cooperation aims to bolster maritime security and counter China’s growing regional influence.
The six-day exercise, dubbed Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME), will be co-hosted by India and Tanzania.
Scheduled to commence mid-April near Dar es Salaam, AIKEYME is envisioned as a biennial event.
Participating African nations include Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to inaugurate the exercise.
The drill will unfold in two phases, encompassing harbor-based discussions and at-sea operations.
These will include anti-piracy drills, search and rescue missions, and joint training exercises.
Simultaneously, India will deploy the INS Sunayna for the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar mission.
This involves Indian sailors and 44 personnel from nine partner nations conducting surveillance in participating countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones.
Tanzanian military spokesperson Col. Gaudentius Ilonda hailed the initiative as a historic step in strengthening regional security cooperation.
He emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to Indian Ocean maritime security through hosting AIKEYME.
This joint effort aligns with India’s SAGAR doctrine, promoting regional collaboration against shared threats.
India has been actively enhancing defense ties with Africa through joint training and technology sharing, seeking to secure maritime routes amidst increasing geopolitical competition.
