Dar es Salaam, April 13, 2025: The Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025 officially commenced in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, marking a major milestone in advancing maritime cooperation between India and African nations. The inaugural ceremony was attended by high-ranking dignitaries, including Tanzania’s Minister of Defence and National Service, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, India’s Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth, and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. Senior military officials, including the Chief of Defence Force of the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF), were also present.
Dr. Tax, while inaugurating the multinational exercise, underscored the importance of united efforts to combat maritime threats such as piracy and trafficking. She highlighted the need for “collaborative maritime security among like-minded partners” and emphasized the importance of innovation and information sharing in building a lasting framework for regional security. Reaffirming Tanzania’s commitment to the initiative, she also expressed the country’s willingness to host future editions of AIKEYME, extending the spirit of cooperation beyond just military collaboration.
Representing India, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth highlighted the enduring value of partnerships, quoting the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”He reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening regional maritime ties through its strategic vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), and expressed gratitude to Tanzania for co-hosting AIKEYME 2025.
The six-day exercise, named after the Sanskrit word for “Unity,” brings together naval forces from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, India, and host nation Tanzania. The event includes a harbor phase featuring joint training and coordination drills, followed by a sea phase aimed at enhancing operational interoperability and regional maritime security.
AIKEYME 2025 seeks to foster collaborative solutions to shared maritime challenges while reinforcing the bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and its African maritime partners.
