India is scheduled to commence its initial significant joint naval operation with 10 African countries next month, indicating its expanding strategic aspirations.
The Africa-India Key Maritime Exercise (AIKEYME), will be conducted off the coast of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania In mid-April, amidst New Delhi’s expanding military engagement on a continent where China has historically held significant influence.
The Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, will open the six-day drill, where India will be co-hosting alongside the Tanzania People’s Defence Force. This gathering will unite navies from various countries including Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
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This exercise represents a significant move in India’s maritime diplomacy, strengthening its position as a regional security contributor and enhancing both strategic and economic connections with Africa, says Robinder Sachdev, an expert in international relations and the founding president of the Imagindia Institute, a Delhi-based research organization.
India’s naval activity in the area isn’t completely unprecedented. The nation currently runs a coastal radar monitoring system across Mauritius, Seychelles, and the Maldives as part of its Integrated Coastal Surveillance System. However, “AIKEYME enhances the level of combined operational preparedness” for these facilities, allowing quicker and better-coordinated reactions to marine dangers, according to Sachdev.
He stated that strategically, this exercise strengthens India’s position as a dependable and non-compellable maritime ally, notably in nations such as Mozambique and Tanzania, where India maintains significant stakes in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and port development.
Sachdev mentioned that AIKEYME also held significant geopolitical importance as it aligned with the policy objectives of the United States And other democratic allies were mentioned. He stated, "The U.S. has continually urged partners such as India to assume more significant responsibilities for regional security, particularly within the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific areas."
A 'managerial role'
The scheduling of AIKEYME is not coincidental. China, with its vast Belt and Road Initiative , has solidified its position as Africa’s biggest trading partner and lender, according to official data indicating that commerce between them hit $295 billion last year. China has additionally set up a military presence in Djibouti and significantly invested in East African ports and infrastructure.
India’s action is seen as a deliberate strategy to offset Beijing's increasing dominance, according to experts. "East Africa holds significant strategic importance for India across various sectors such as energy resources, and within this framework, this specific joint naval drill serves to enhance India's reputation as a trustworthy ally in Africa,” stated C. Uday Bhaskar, a former Indian navy official and director of the Society for Policy Studies research institute.
He recognized the difficulties involved, though. Given that China's economic assets significantly outweigh those of India, Bhaskar suggested that Delhi should concentrate on fostering goodwill instead of attempting to compete with China on a purely financial basis.
"It would be perfect if India and China could both collaborate with Africa, but achieving this would demand significant political acumen and cooperation from both parties," he noted.
Parallel to AIKEyme, another pioneering effort known as the Indian Ocean Ship Sagar is underway. Between mid-April and early May, the offshore patrol ship INS Sunayana will operate with a mixed team comprising Indian naval officers alongside members from nine African countries such as Kenya, Madagascar, and South Africa. During this period, these combined teams will perform collaborative monitoring operations within the exclusive economic zones of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Additionally, they plan to make stops at ports like Dar es Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Malé.
Dongkeun Lee, a defense studies specialist from the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University, noted that this initiative underscored India's ambition to assume a "leadership position" within the Indian Ocean region.
He stated that even though the Western Indian Ocean is frequently not regarded as part of the Indo-Pacific region—especially by the U.S., India’s definition of the Indo-Pacific encompasses this area. Additionally, several African nations participating in naval drills are situated in the Western Indian Ocean, signaling India's desire to take on a leadership position throughout the larger region.
Lee stated unequivocally that China intended to broaden its Belt and Road investments throughout Africa. This development implies that programs like AIKEME and Sagar can be seen as part of New Delhi’s approach designed to counterbalance China’s growing sway over the wider Indian Ocean area.
The importance of AIKEYME has grown as it comes after "Peace-Unity 2024," a one-month joint military exercise conducted in mid-2024 involving China, Tanzania, and Mozambique. According to Paul Nantulya, a research fellow at the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies affiliated with the National Defense University in the U.S., this drill marked China’s biggest military presence in Africa since 1997.
"It appears AIKEYME was intentionally made bigger than Peace-Unity 2024. As China hasn’t held an exercise in Africa for 2025 yet, it will be intriguing to see their response to this Indian endeavor," Nantulya remarked.
India's economic involvement in Africa began before China's current activities on the continent, he stated. "India boasts a significantly larger native populace that forms an integral part of Africa’s demographic, having arrived in the 17th century and actively participating in the region's political landscape, particularly during its fight for freedom," explained Nantulya.
This indicates that they possess an edge since they assimilate with African communities and turn into something akin to 'native,' which Chinese enclaves do not achieve.
Economic, strategic stakes
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry, India’s current trade with Africa amounts to $83 billion, with approximately 90 percent of this volume being conducted through maritime channels. In the last ten years, New Delhi has provided roughly $12 billion in credit to 42 different African countries, which constitutes nearly 40 percent of its total international credit commitments.
However, commentators indicate that India’s initiatives appear modest when measured against China’s substantial commitments, comprising 643 direct projects valued at $150 billion, as reported by the Hinrich Foundation, a trade sustainability organization based in Singapore.
Sayantan Haldar, a maritime-security specialist with the Observer Research Foundation think tank based in Delhi, views these naval drills as an essential move for India to position itself as a key security ally in Africa.
"Towards this objective, India’s strategic presence within the area is expected to gain significant enhancement," Haldar stated, emphasizing that converting this progress into an economic aspect would be crucial. He pointed out that India's main hurdle was China's extensive economic involvement in Africa.
“Africa has been striving for consistent development collaborations,” Haldar stated. “In this regard, China is viewed as a significant ally. For India to rival China in Africa, it must refine its strategy and promote stronger economic ties. Nonetheless, enhancing maritime security cooperation could serve as a vital foundation for India’s efforts in Africa.”
African countries are facing challenges such as drug smuggling, unauthorized fishing, and piracy—areas where India’s naval proficiency could offer valuable assistance, according to Bhaskar.
Even with these initiatives, India’s impact in Africa stays restrained due to the absence of permanent embassies in 16 African nations and its comparatively sluggish implementation of developmental aid.
Sachdev stated that India’s initiatives in Africa do not seek to outcompete China economically, but rather provide a viable, enduring strategic option. This approach is particularly focused on sectors where China’s debt-heavy, government-directed strategy has sparked worries amongst African countries.
In September, China hosted leaders from 53 African nations at the ninth edition of this gathering. Beijing Forum on China-Africa Cooperation , ending with a shared statement advocating for a more multipolar global order, along with the endorsement of an action plan aimed at enhancing collaboration between them in the upcoming years.
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