In recent discussions, Indian and Tanzanian Navy officials convened to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral maritime engagements. The talks centered on charting a future course for collaborative maritime activities, enhancing existing cooperation, and fostering a unified strategy towards maritime security.
This meeting comes against the backdrop of increasing cooperation between India and various African nations in the maritime domain. In April 2025, India and Tanzania co-hosted the inaugural Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME), a multilateral naval exercise aimed at bolstering maritime security and fostering regional cooperation across the Indian Ocean. The exercise, which derives its name from the Sanskrit word for "Unity," saw participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
AIKEYME included both harbor and sea phases. The harbor phase featured tabletop exercises and command post exercises focused on anti-piracy operations, information sharing, and joint training in seamanship and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) techniques. The sea phase concentrated on coordinated maritime operations to improve interoperability and readiness among the participating navies.
The Indian Navy deployed INS Chennai, a destroyer, INS Kesari, a landing ship tank and INS Sunayna, as part of the AIKEYME exercise. INS Sunayna's deployment was part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar initiative, with the ship carrying 44 crew members from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Kenya, Madagascar, Comoros, Mozambique, Mauritius, South Africa and Seychelles, who were trained by the Indian Navy.
The growing maritime cooperation aligns with India's broader strategic vision for the Indian Ocean region. India is offering support through its “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)” vision. This vision focuses on helping friendly countries in the Indian Ocean by improving their naval strength, helping in natural disasters, and making trade routes safer. India has already trained many African military officers in its defense institutions.
The Indian Ocean holds immense strategic importance for both India and African nations, serving as a vital conduit for trade and commerce. Ensuring the safety and security of this maritime space is crucial for regional stability and economic prosperity. The collaborative efforts between the Indian and Tanzanian navies, as well as the broader India-Africa maritime engagements, signify a shared commitment to addressing maritime challenges and fostering a secure and stable maritime environment. These engagements encompass various activities, including joint exercises, training programs, and information sharing, all aimed at enhancing interoperability and building mutual trust.
