India and Tanzania Inaugurate Landmark Africa-India Maritime Exercise in Dar-es-Salaam
DAR-ES-SALAAM. In a major boost to India-Africa maritime cooperation, the harbour phase of the first-ever Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) exercise was officially launched on April 13 in Dar-es-Salaam. The event was jointly inaugurated aboard INS Chennai by Tanzania’s Minister of Defence and National Service, Stergomena Lawrence Tax, and India’s Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.
Co-hosted by India and Tanzania, AIKEYME 2025 brought together naval forces from across the African continent, including Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa, in a multilateral effort to strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Sanjay Seth also participated virtually in the inauguration of a newly established Weapons Training Simulator in Arusha, and in the launch of a Defence Expo showcasing Indian defence capabilities. Twenty-two Indian companies participated in the expo, displaying key military technologies and products.
In his address, Seth underlined the importance of unity and collective action in addressing shared maritime challenges. He invoked the Indian principle of MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Region – as the foundation for India-Africa maritime ties.
Emphasising the need for long-term cooperation, he cited the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Tax lauded the initiative as a strategic move to foster strong maritime partnerships and called for joint efforts to counter issues like piracy and maritime trafficking. She also expressed Tanzania’s commitment to hosting future editions of AIKEYME, highlighting innovation and information-sharing as key elements of regional security collaboration.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior military officials, including the Chief of Defence Force of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, India’s Chief of Naval Staff, and the Indian High Commissioner to Tanzania. A ceremonial guard of 50 personnel and a performance by the Indian Navy Band underscored the event’s significance.
Seth also toured INS Chennai, interacted with the crews of participating navies and the IOS SAGAR ship, and presented Tanzania with symbolic gifts – including 15 parachute sets, books for the National Defence College, and a Tri-Services War Gaming Simulator – as gestures of goodwill.
AIKEYME 2025 and the parallel IOS SAGAR initiative represented a shared commitment by India and African nations to ensure a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean. The launch marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of India-Africa defence ties, setting the stage for deeper maritime cooperation in the years ahead.
