Indian Navy’s India-Africa Initiatives: AIKEYME and IOS Sagar

The Indian Navy has announced major initiatives to strengthen cooperation with Africa and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Key initiatives between Indian and Africa

• Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) and Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar:
  • “The initiatives aim to enhance India’s role as a Preferred Security Partner and First Responder in the region.
    

About Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME)

• AIKEYME means “Unity” in Sanskrit is the first-ever India-Africa large-scale multinational maritime exercise.
• Co-hosted by: Indian Navy and Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF).
• Location: Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
• Participating Nations: Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

About IOS Sagar (Indian Ocean Ship Sagar)

• Purpose: Strengthen cooperation with IOR nations and boost regional naval engagement.
• Ship Deployment: INS Sunayna to Southwest IOR from April 5 to May 8, 2025.
• Crew Composition: Combined crew of Indian Navy and 44 personnel from nine Friendly Foreign Countries (FFC).
  • FFC are Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and South Africa.
    

Joint Surveillance Missions

• Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles
• Port Calls at Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles) and Male (Maldives)
  

Significance in Strategic Vision Alignment

• SAGAR Doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region): Both AIKEYME and IOS Sagar align with India’s SAGAR doctrine, which promotes regional security and maritime collaboration.
• MAHASAGAR Vision: MAHASAGAR stands for Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All in the Region.
  • Recently Announced by Indian  Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mauritius (March 2025).
  • It aims to position India as a key security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
    

These initiatives reinforce India’s naval presence in the IOR, counter growing Chinese influence, and strengthen regional maritime security through strategic collaboration with African nations.