Kenya has been selected among 10 African countries that will be participating in naval drills with India starting next month in a bit to curtail the increasing boldness of China in the Indian Ocean.
According to reports from India, the Asian country, which is rapidly forming and strengthening alliances, will also be launching a naval vessel that will include 44 personnel from African countries, including Kenya, alongside Indian personnel.
The naval exercises will mark the first time India conducts a major naval drill, called Aikeyme, with 10 African nations. These exercises come as China expands its presence in the Indian Ocean and as threats from Somali pirates and Houthi rebels in the region increase.
Kenya will participate alongside Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa—most of whom have territories in the Indian Ocean.
The multi-nation Aikeyme exercise, or the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement, will be conducted off Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from April 13 to 18.
"We are looking to make the exercise a biennial endeavour. This time, it includes East African countries. In the next edition, we will invite West African countries as well to make it a larger African exercise," India’s Navy Deputy Chief, Vice Admiral Sobti, said on Monday.
Indian officials have announced that the upcoming exercise will emphasise various activities, including visit board search and seizure drills, firearms training, helicopter manoeuvres, seamanship exercises, and search and rescue operations.
Additionally, there will be tabletop discussions and command post simulations focused on anti-piracy tactics and information exchange practices.
Over the years, China has been expanding its military presence in the Indian Ocean, focusing on strategic port developments that enhance its maritime capabilities. This has raised significant concerns for India, as Beijing's strategic initiatives challenge New Delhi's traditional influence in the region.
In 2017, Beijing inaugurated its first overseas military base in Djibouti, strategically positioned near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial chokepoint for global maritime trade.
Additionally, China’s investment in Gwadar Port, Pakistan, as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has drawn attention to its dual economic and military implications. This port not only grants China direct access to the Indian Ocean but also serves as an alternative route to the heavily trafficked Strait of Malacca.
Similarly, the long-term lease of Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka has raised concerns about Beijing’s strategic ambitions, as its location along vital sea lanes positions China to exert influence over key maritime routes.
The training exercise and the launch of a naval vessel are being seen as India’s response to China’s growing dominance over these crucial waters.
