Event: Inaugural edition of the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME)
Location: Off the coast of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
Dates: April 13 to 18, 2025
Key Highlights
1. Strategic Objective
- Purpose: Foster collaborative maritime solutions to regional challenges and enhance interoperability among participating navies.
- Theme: Strengthen security partnerships under India’s MAHASAGAR initiative (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
- Scope: Promotes joint maritime operations and cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
2. Participating Nations
- Co-hosts: India and Tanzania
- Other Participants:
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Seychelles
- South Africa
3. Indian Naval Assets Deployed
- INS Sunayna: Offshore Patrol Vessel sailing under IOS SAGAR, carrying naval personnel from 9 friendly nations.
- INS Chennai: Guided missile destroyer
- INS Kesari: Landing Ship Tank (Large)
Strategic Significance
- Deepening India-Africa Naval Ties: Reflects India’s growing engagement with African coastal nations on maritime security, capacity-building, and naval diplomacy.
- Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Stability: Supports peaceful maritime order and regional preparedness in the face of threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime terrorism.
- Showcasing Indigenous Naval Capability: Deployment of Indian warships highlights India’s blue-water navy status and technological self-reliance.
The AIKEYME 2025 exercise marks a strategic leap in India’s naval diplomacy and reinforces its commitment to regional maritime security and partnership with Africa. This initiative not only strengthens bilateral and multilateral ties but also aligns with India’s broader vision of a secure and inclusive Indian Ocean Region.
