The inaugural edition of the large-scale multilateral maritime exercise, Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME)—meaning ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit—is scheduled to take place from 13 to 18 April 2025.
Key Highlights
- This six-day engagement will see participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa, alongside co-hosts India and Tanzania.
- AIKEYME is a strategic initiative that aligns with the vision of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, to promote Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
- In preparation for the exercise, Indian Naval Ships INS Chennai (a guided missile destroyer) and INS Kesari [a Landing Ship Tank (Large)] arrived in Dar-es-Salaam on 10th and 11th April 2025, respectively.
- The inauguration ceremony will be co-hosted onboard these vessels, in collaboration with the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
- AIKEYME 2025 aims to foster regional cooperation by developing collaborative solutions to shared maritime challenges, enhancing interoperability, and strengthening mutual trust among participating nations.
