AIKEYME: A Comprehensive Overview of the Maritime Exercise
In April 2025, the inaugural edition of the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) commenced in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. This large-scale multilateral maritime exercise signifies a strategic collaboration between India and various African nations, focusing on enhancing maritime cooperation and addressing regional security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Co-Hosting Nations and Participants
The exercise is co-hosted by India and Tanzania, reflecting their mutual strategic interests in maintaining stability and growth in the IOR. A total of eleven nations participated in AIKEYME, including Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa. This diverse participation underscores the commitment of these nations to work collaboratively on maritime challenges such as piracy, maritime security, and trade enhancement.
Objectives of AIKEYME
The primary objective of AIKEYME is to develop cooperative solutions to regional maritime challenges while simultaneously enhancing naval interoperability and coordination among participating nations. It is aligned with India’s initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), introduced by Prime Minister Modi in March 2025. These initiatives aim to foster stability, sustainable development, and capacity building among Africa’s coastal states.
Indian Naval Presence
Indian naval participation in AIKEYME is significant, featuring three key vessels: INS Chennai (a destroyer), INS Kesari (a landing ship tank), and INS Sunayna. The presence of these ships highlights India’s commitment to maritime security in the region. Furthermore, INS Sunayna is deployed as part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative, which involves joint surveillance and goodwill port calls to nations such as Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives. This initiative facilitates increased collaboration and goodwill among nations in and around the Indian Ocean.
Structure and Duration of the Exercise
The AIKEYME exercise spans six days from April 13 to April 18, 2025, structured into two phases: harbour and sea phases. During the harbour phase, theoretical aspects and training exercises were likely conducted, while the sea phase focused on practical naval operations.
Key Focus Areas
AIKEYME emphasizes several focus areas critical for enhancing maritime capabilities among participating nations. These include:
- Maritime Surveillance: Improving monitoring mechanisms to secure the vast maritime domain.
- Port Infrastructure Development: Collaborating on the enhancement of port facilities to support increased trade and naval operations.
- Fisheries Management: Promoting sustainable fishing practices to secure marine resources.
- Joint Naval Exercises: Conducting cooperative training that bolsters naval readiness and interoperability.
Conclusion
AIKEYME demonstrates a pivotal step in India’s foreign policy towards Africa, emphasizing collaborative maritime security and fostering regional stability. The exercise not only aims to strengthen naval ties but also ensures safer sea-lanes critical for trade and economic growth in the Indian Ocean Region. Through initiatives like AIKEYME, India reinforces its commitment to being a responsible maritime power, supportive of sustainable development and security in Africa.
