Strategic & Diplomatic Significance
- Inaugural AIKEYME Exercise: Marks a new chapter in India-Africa naval collaboration, showcasing India’s proactive maritime diplomacy in the Western Indian Ocean Region.
- India-Tanzania as Co-hosts: Reflects deepening bilateral defence ties, especially in maritime security.
- Supports India’s MAHASAGAR Vision: Aligns with PM Modi’s initiative – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, aimed at regional stability and inclusive development in the Indo-Pacific and Africa.
Relevance : GS 2(Internal Relations)
Participating Nations
- 10 Nations in Total:
- India + Tanzania (Co-hosts)
- 8 African nations: Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa.
- Significance: Indicates shared concerns and willingness among Indian Ocean littoral African states to address maritime security challenges collectively.
Naval Assets & Deployment
- INS Chennai (Destroyer) and INS Kesari (Landing Ship Tank – Large):
- Showcase India’s blue-water navy capabilities and amphibious operational reach.
- INS Sunayna (Patrol Vessel) as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR:
- Embodies India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) policy.
- Carries 44 naval personnel from 9 friendly foreign nations, promoting multilateral crew training and collaboration.
Objectives & Activities
- Key Objective: Develop collaborative solutions to regional maritime challenges—piracy, trafficking, IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) fishing, climate security, and disaster response.
- Enhance Interoperability: Train navies for combined maritime operations and promote interoperability via multilateral drills.
- Ceremonial Diplomacy: Joint guard of honour, national anthem renditions by both Tanzanian and Indian bands—strengthens military diplomacy.
Broader Geostrategic Context
- India’s Maritime Outreach to Africa:
- Counters increasing Chinese presence in African ports and waters.
- Promotes India as a reliable and benign security partner in the Indo-African maritime domain.
- Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Focus:
- Reasserts India’s central role in IOR security architecture.
- Reinforces maritime domain awareness, capacity building, and cooperative security.
Long-Term Implications
- Institutionalisation of AIKEYME: Could evolve into a regular platform for India-Africa maritime cooperation, akin to Milan or IBSAMAR.
- Boosts Defence Industrial Collaboration: May open avenues for naval hardware exports, maintenance, and training with African partners.
- Soft Power Projection: Strengthens India’s image as a security provider and development partner in Africa.
