In a significant boost to maritime diplomacy and defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi embarked on a five-day official visit to Tanzania on Saturday. His visit marks India’s participation in the inaugural edition of the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME), a first-of-its-kind large-scale, multilateral maritime exercise co-hosted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, #CNS, is on an official visit to Tanzania from 12 – 16 Apr 25. The visit aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and strategic ties between India and Tanzania, underscoring India’s commitment to enhancing defence partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region.… pic.twitter.com/dCa7UIFW9t
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 12, 2025
The exercise, symbolically named AIKEYME—derived from the Sanskrit word for “Unity,” AIKEYME—will be held from April 13 to 18 in Dar-es-Salaam and at sea. It brings together navies from India and eight African nations: Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
The initiative reflects India’s growing strategic outreach in Africa and aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
Two Indian naval ships—INS Chennai, a frontline destroyer, and INS Kesari, a Landing Ship Tank (Large)—reached the Tanzanian port on April 10 and 11, respectively, to participate in the exercise.
The formal inauguration of AIKEYME will be held on April 13 onboard one of the Indian warships, with India’s Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, and Tanzania’s Defence Minister serving as Chief Guests. The harbour phase will also include a deck reception, ship visits by the local public, and cultural exchanges, including yoga sessions and friendly sports matches.
According to the Indian Navy, the sea phase will focus on operational interoperability and maritime security cooperation from April 16 to 18. Participating navies will engage in anti-piracy drills, tabletop and command post exercises, information-sharing protocols, and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) training.
INS Sunayna, deployed under India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative, will also participate in AIKEYME after setting sail from Karwar on April 5.
Designed to address shared regional maritime challenges, AIKEYME aims to foster trust, strengthen naval ties, and develop practical collaborative solutions among Indian Ocean littoral states. The exercise underscores India’s enduring commitment to building capacity and partnerships in Africa for a safer and more secure maritime environment.
Team BharatShakti
