The Indian Navy is set to launch its first-ever AIKEYME – Africa India Maritime Engagement in April. This program aims to strengthen maritime cooperation with African navies. As part of the initiative, Indian Navy personnel will collaborate with naval officers from ten African countries.

The Indian Navy ship INS Sunayna will travel to East African nations like Tanzania and Mozambique, with planned stops in Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives. This effort is part of India’s strategy to build stronger ties with African nations, especially as China expands its influence in the region. Vice Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar, Deputy Chief of the Indian Navy, stated that there are no diplomatic issues regarding Indian naval ships visiting the Maldives, despite recent tensions. According to Navy officials, this visit is part of India's larger maritime strategy, “IOS Sagar” (Indian Ocean Security and Growth for All), which focuses on maintaining peace and security in the region.

Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti explained that AIKEYME is an initiative to strengthen India's ties with Africa. This exercise is also part of India's broader strategy to balance China's growing presence in the region. Additionally, in May, the Indian Navy will take part in a humanitarian and disaster relief exercise in the Maldives, where both nations' naval forces will work together. The IOS Sagar initiative focuses on strengthening cooperation between India and nations in the Indian Ocean region. As part of this, the Indian Navy ship INS Sunayna will be deployed to the southwest Indian Ocean in April 2025 for over a month. The ship’s crew will include personnel from India and nine friendly countries: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

During its mission, INS Sunayna will visit Dar es Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Male. Additionally, it will carry out joint surveillance of the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles, ensuring maritime security and cooperation.

Personnel from Friendly Foreign Countries will take part in a two-week training program at various naval schools in Kochi, which will also include training at sea. During this time, they will engage in different activities, watch-keeping duties, and events related to their specific trades. Additionally, participants of IOS Sagar will witness the harbour phase activities of AIKEYME in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.