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India has stepped up its maritime outreach in the western Indian Ocean ahead of the fourth edition of the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), scheduled for May, with a focus on strengthening operational cooperation and long-term strategic ties with Kenya.
As part of this effort, the Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate INS Trikand has arrived at Mombasa during its ongoing deployment in the region. The port call reflects a broader push by India to deepen maritime engagement with Kenya, a key partner along vital Indian Ocean sea routes.
The visit is being seen as a marker of growing defence and naval cooperation between the two countries. Underscoring its importance, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who heads India’s Western Naval Command, is also in Kenya at the same time. His presence signals the level of priority both sides are attaching to expanding naval ties.
A central component of the engagement will be a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) between the Indian Navy and the Kenya Navy. Such exercises are typically short in duration but are considered operationally useful, enabling participating crews to coordinate manoeuvres at sea, exchange best practices, and build familiarity through real-time scenarios.
The deployment also aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR approach, which emphasises cooperative security and shared growth across maritime regions. Within this framework, naval outreach is being used alongside diplomatic and economic engagement to reinforce partnerships.
The upcoming India–Africa Forum Summit has increasingly evolved into a platform where strategic and developmental priorities intersect. Issues such as energy access, financing, skill development and maritime cooperation are now being addressed in a more integrated manner. This shift reflects a broader trend where partnerships are assessed not only on intent but also on their capacity to deliver stability and resilience.
India and Kenya both occupy critical positions along major sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, giving them a shared interest in ensuring these waters remain secure and open. Kenya is also viewed as an important partner within India’s wider Indo-Pacific outlook.
Security discussions during the current engagement are expected to extend beyond the Indian Ocean to include developments in the Horn of Africa, a region where maritime risks such as piracy and illicit trafficking continue to evolve.
Institutional mechanisms have also played a role in shaping bilateral defence ties. A joint committee established in 2016 has provided a structured framework for dialogue and cooperation, enabling the relationship to expand beyond basic exchanges into more sustained and coordinated engagement.
During the 2023 visit of Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto to India, both sides outlined a maritime cooperation roadmap under the “BAHARI” vision. This roadmap includes areas such as training and the potential joint development of maritime assets, including patrol vessels and surveillance systems, which are relevant for coastal security.
Both countries face a range of maritime challenges, including piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling and other non-traditional threats. Their participation in regional groupings such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium reflects a shared approach to addressing these issues collectively.
Given the vulnerability of coastal regions, India and Kenya are also exploring ways to enhance coordination in humanitarian assistance and emergency response. This includes improving preparedness and strengthening early warning mechanisms.
Efforts to enhance maritime domain awareness are being supported through platforms such as the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, which facilitates the exchange of information on maritime activity to improve both security and coordination.
Additionally, engagement through multilateral frameworks like the Djibouti Code of Conduct Jeddah Amendment and the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activity adds another layer to the cooperation, reinforcing a collective approach to maritime governance and security in the region.
The visit of INS Trikand to Mombasa thus reflects a broader convergence of operational, strategic and diplomatic efforts, as India and Kenya continue to build a more structured and multi-dimensional maritime partnership ahead of IAFS 2026.
