India, African nations deepen naval ties with first-ever joint maritime drill in Tanzania

India and nine African nations have launched the sea phase of AIKEYME-25 — or Africa India Key Maritime Engagement — the first-ever joint naval drill aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
Co-hosted by India and Tanzania, the six-day exercise marks a major step in strengthening strategic cooperation between India and nine African littoral states — Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa. Following a successful harbor phase in Dar es Salaam, the sea phase began on Wednesday (16 April) and includes coordinated patrols, anti-piracy operations, search-and-rescue missions, and joint tactical drills. Indian naval assets — INS Chennai, INS Kesari, and INS Sunayna — are participating alongside vessels from nations including Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
Indian navy stated that the initiative reflects its Sagar (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Mahasagar (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) visions, positioning India as a dependable security partner amid rising Chinese influence in the region. The exercises also focus on combating illegal fishing, smuggling, and maritime trafficking — the challenges that have grown in significance across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). China has been under the scanner for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the IOR. “In these turbulent times, regional cooperation is not a choice but a necessity,” said Tanzania’s defense minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax, who praised the joint effort as a “new chapter.” With a growing focus on the Global South, India’s expanded maritime engagement bolsters its diplomatic reach while offering African nations a strategic alternative to China and the West.