Tanzania: In a landmark step towards strengthening maritime unity and regional security, the inaugural edition of the multilateral naval exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025 is set to take place from April 13 to 18. The exercise brings together naval forces from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa, alongside the co-host nations India and Tanzania.
The name AIKEYME, meaning "Unity" in Sanskrit, aptly reflects the spirit of this collaborative initiative. It aligns with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, under the doctrine of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Indian Naval Ships INS Chennai, a guided missile destroyer, and INS Kesari, a Landing Ship Tank (Large), arrived at Dar-es-Salaam on April 10 and 11. These vessels will serve as key venues for the official inauguration of AIKEYME, which is being conducted in partnership with the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
The Indian ships were received with full ceremonial honours by the Indian Defence Attaché in Tanzania and liaison teams. A ceremonial guard was paraded onboard INS Chennai, and the bands of the Indian Navy and the TPDF jointly played the national anthems of India and Tanzania in a powerful display of military harmony and mutual respect.
The harbour phase of AIKEYME 2025 will include the official inauguration and a deck reception, with India’s Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth, and Tanzania’s Defence Minister as chief guests. This phase will focus on enhancing mutual understanding through Table Top and Command Post Exercises, primarily aimed at anti-piracy operations, information sharing, and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) training. Additional engagements include joint seamanship training, sports fixtures, yoga sessions, and open ship visits to encourage civilian-military interaction and promote cultural camaraderie.
The sea phase, scheduled from April 16 to 18, will see the participating navies undertaking coordinated maritime operations, reinforcing their collective capability to address regional maritime threats and challenges.
Also joining the exercise is INS Sunayna, which departed from Karwar on April 5 under the Indian Ocean Mission SAGAR.
AIKEYME 2025 stands as a testament to India’s growing naval diplomacy and its commitment to fostering regional partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region. The exercise aims to boost interoperability, build trust, and advance collaborative security frameworks in an increasingly interconnected maritime landscape.
With AIKEYME 2025, India and Africa signal a bold step forward, charting a shared course for peace, security, and prosperity on the high seas. (pr)