The first edition of the large-scale multilateral maritime exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) commenced at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Coinciding with exercise, offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna, designated as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, arrived at the port with 44 naval personnel from nine friendly nations.
About AIKEYME
- AIKEYME 25, meaning ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, was conducted over 6 days.
- It included a harbour phase with joint training on piracy and information sharing, followed by a sea phase aimed at enhancing maritime security cooperation.
Objective:
- To develop collaborative solutions to common regional maritime challenges.
- Enhance interoperability and synergise combined operations among maritime forces of partner nations.
- Highlight the strong and friendly relations between India and African nations.
- Aligns with PM Modi’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
Harbour Phase Activities:
Joint training on:
- Anti-piracy operations
- Information sharing
- Seamanship
- Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises
Promotional events such as:
- Sports fixtures
- Yoga sessions to foster camaraderie
- Indian Naval ships opened to local public interaction and visits.
Sea Phase Activities:
- Focused on strengthening maritime security cooperation.
- INS Sukanya will depart from Dar-es-Salaam to Nacala, Mozambique as part of the IOS SAGAR mission.
Participation:
- Co-hosted: By India and Tanzania.
- Participating countries: Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, along with India and Tanzania.
- INS Chennai (Destroyer) and INS Kesari [Landing Ship Tank (Large)] arrived in Dar-es-Salaam and co-hosted the inauguration ceremony with the Tanzanian Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF).
Need:
- Oceans are vital for global trade, transportation, and natural resources.
- Maritime security is essential for global and economic stability.
- Maritime threats are increasingly complex — including: Piracy (especially in the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa), Illegal fishing and Human trafficking
- Emphasizes the need for unity and enduring partnerships in maritime security.