In a meaningful step towards deepening India-Africa maritime cooperation, the harbour phase of the maiden Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement exercise (AIKEYME) was inaugurated aboard the Indian Navy’s frontline warship INS Chennai in Dar es Salaam on April 13, 2025. The ceremony, graced by Tanzania’s Minister of Defence and National Service Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax and India’s Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, marked a hopeful and collaborative beginning to an initiative aimed at regional security and mutual growth.
AIKEYME, co-hosted by India and Tanzania, sees participation from countries including Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa. The exercise is more than a military engagement—it’s a symbol of shared values, collective strength, and a future rooted in unity. Speaking at the event, Shri Sanjay Seth emphasized the need for oneness and a shared vision to tackle maritime challenges. Drawing from the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” he highlighted the essence of long-term partnerships in ensuring peace and prosperity across the Indian Ocean.
The occasion also saw the virtual inauguration of a new Weapons Training Simulator in Arusha and a Defence Expo featuring 22 Indian companies, showcasing India’s capabilities and its commitment to meaningful collaboration. Shri Seth recalled the deep-rooted ties between India and Africa, invoking the principle of MAHASAGAR—Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Region—as a guiding philosophy for this engagement.
Dr Stergomena Tax expressed heartfelt gratitude to India for co-hosting the exercise and reaffirmed Tanzania’s support for future editions. She spoke passionately about the urgent need for cooperation to address shared concerns like piracy and trafficking, and advocated for a collaborative framework built on innovation and trust. Her words reinforced that the India-Africa partnership goes far beyond defence—it’s about regional solidarity and shared futures.
The event was marked by a ceremonial guard of honour and a stirring performance by the Indian Navy Band, infusing the atmosphere with pride and camaraderie. Dignitaries including the Chief of Defence Force of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force, the Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, and the High Commissioner of India to Tanzania stood in unity, underscoring the diplomatic and strategic weight of the occasion.
As a gesture of goodwill, Shri Seth interacted with crews from participating nations and gifted parachutes, books for the National Defence College, and a Tri-Services War Gaming Simulator to Tanzania—tokens of a friendship grounded in trust and mutual respect.
AIKEYME 25, along with the IOS SAGAR mission, is a powerful reminder of the promise held by collective maritime action. It’s a commitment to a peaceful and secure Indian Ocean region and a testament to the enduring bonds between India and Africa—a partnership built not just on strategy, but on shared hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow.
