India-Africa Maritime Engagement Exercise (AI-KEYME) Begins off Tanzania Coast, Pg12

1. About AI-KEYME

• Full form: Africa India Key Maritime Engagement
• Hosted off: Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
• Inaugural Edition: 2025
• Objective: Develop collaborative maritime solutions to common regional challenges

2. Indian Naval Participation

• INS Chennai (destroyer)
• INS Kesari (Landing Ship Tank - Large)
• INS Sunayna (offshore patrol vessel), part of IOS SAGAR mission
• 44 personnel from 9 friendly nations

3. African Participation

• Exercise includes navies of:
• Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania

Strategic Significance

A. Alignment with SAGAR Doctrine

• AI-KEYME aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across Regions) vision.

B. Enhancing Naval Diplomacy

• Builds interoperability and synergy among regional navies.
• Strengthens India-Africa maritime ties.

C. Regional Peace & Stability

• Addresses challenges like:
• Maritime piracy
• Illegal fishing
• Smuggling
• Freedom of navigation

Symbolism & Soft Power

• Ceremonial Guard on INS Chennai with the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).
• Indian and Tanzanian national anthems played, reinforcing mutual respect.

Mains Mock Question:

India’s increasing maritime engagement with Africa reflects a shift in its strategic focus. Critically examine how initiatives like AI-KEYME fit within India’s maritime security and foreign policy vision. (GS-2 | 250 words)