The Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025 was inaugurated on 13 April 2025 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
- This is an important step towards strengthening maritime cooperation between India and African countries.
- This initiative aligns with the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, promoting Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
About Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025:
» The inaugural edition of the large-scale multilateral exercise, Africa India Key Maritime Engagement, AIKEYME, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, is planned for six days from 13 to 18 April 2025.
Participating Nations:
Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa, alongside the co-hosts India and Tanzania are participating in AIKEYME 25.
Participation of Indian Naval Ships:
- For AIKEYME, the Indian Navy is represented by INS Chennai and INS Kesari. INS Sunayna, which sailed out from Karwar on 05 April 2025 as Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR, is also participating in AIKEYME. Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR was also present for the inaugural ceremony.
- The Indian Naval Ships INS Chennai (destroyer) and INS Kesari [Landing Ship Tank (Large)] arrived in Dar-es-Salaam on 10th and 11th April 25 respectively, and the inauguration ceremony of AIKEYME was co-hosted onboard, along with the Tanzanian Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF).
Phases of Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025:
Harbour Phase:
» The harbour phase for AIKEYME 25 included an inauguration ceremony and a deck reception with the Honorable Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth and Defence Minister, Tanzania as Chief Guests.
- The harbour phase of Indian Navy’s maiden initiative of AIKEYME 25 exercise was inaugurated by Minister of Defence and National Service of Tanzania Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax and Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth onboard INS Chennai at Dar es Salaam on April 13, 2025.
- This phase also included Table Top and Command Post Exercises focused on anti-piracy ops and information sharing, alongside joint training in seamanship and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises in collaboration with the TPDF.
- To promote camaraderie, activities such as sports fixtures and yoga sessions also took place. Additionally, the Indian Naval ships were open to visitors during the harbour phase to engage with the local population.
Sea Phase:
- The sea phase, scheduled from 16 to 18 April 25, will focus on strengthening maritime security cooperation among the participating maritime nations.
Objective:
AIKEYME aims to develop collaborative solutions to common regional maritime challenges. This maiden initiative by the Indian Navy seeks to enhance interoperability and synergise combined operations among the maritime forces of partner nations. It also highlights the strong and friendly relations between India and the African nations.
AIKEYME 25 and IOS SAGAR symbolize a transformative journey towards enhanced multinational collaboration in securing the seas, forging connections that transcend borders.