INDIAN OCEAN SHIP SAGAR & AIKEYME EXERCISE
- Initiatives: The Indian Navy has announced two key initiatives to strengthen cooperation with African nations and enhance its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These initiatives include the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar and the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME)
- Key Purpose: These initiatives aim to bolster India’s position as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in the IOR, particularly amidst growing challenges such as piracy and regional security threats.
ABOUT IOS SAGAR
- What is IOS Sagar? IOS Sagar is a significant maritime cooperation initiative that focuses on enhancing ties between India and nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It will involve the deployment of the Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna with a combined crew of Indian sailors and 44 personnel from nine African countries.
- Deployment Dates: INS Sunayna will be deployed from April 5 to May 8, 2025, covering key locations in the Southwest IOR.
- Participating Countries: The ship will work alongside personnel from Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
OBJECTIVES
- Joint Surveillance of EEZs: Surveillance will be conducted over the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
- Port Calls: The ship will make stops at key ports such as Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), Port Louis (Mauritius), Port Victoria (Seychelles), and Male (Maldives).
- Training: Personnel from the participating African nations will undergo two weeks of training in various naval professional schools in Kochi, including both shore-based and at-sea
Significance: The initiative is part of India’s broader effort to foster security cooperation in the region and strengthen its maritime presence.
ABOUT AIKEYME EXERCISE
- What is AIKEYME? AIKEYME stands for Africa India Key Maritime Engagement, a multilateral maritime exercise involving India and 10 African countries. The exercise is aimed at enhancing cooperation, improving maritime security, and addressing common threats like piracy and terrorism.
- Exercise Duration: The exercise will take place over six days.
- Locations: The exercise will be hosted in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, and will feature both a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase.
- Participants: The exercise will include Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, and the Indian Navy, with the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) co-hosting the event.
KEY PHASES
- Harbour Phase: Focuses on table-top exercises and command post exercises related to piracy, information sharing, seamanship training, and visit board search and seizure (VBSS)
- Sea Phase: Includes seamanship evolutions, Search and Rescue (SAR) exercises, VBSS operations, small arms firing, and helicopter operations to enhance operational readiness and interoperability among the participating nations.
BROADER STRATEGIC CONTEXT
- China’s Inroads in Africa: The initiatives come in the backdrop of China’s growing influence in Africa, with its expanding maritime and infrastructure presence, and the renewed threat of piracy in the region.
- Piracy and Maritime Security Threats: The ongoing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Houthi rebel activities in the Red Sea pose significant risks to global shipping. These threats underscore the need for greater international cooperation to ensure maritime security.
- India’s Position as Security Partner: With the announcement of the Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these initiatives are aligned with India’s vision of being the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in the Indian Ocean region.
INDIA’S NAVAL DIPLOMACY & REGIONAL COOPERATION
- Long-standing Cooperation: The Indian Navy has been involved in extensive collaboration with littoral states in the Indian Ocean region for over a decade. This includes joint naval exercises, coordinated patrols, information sharing, and humanitarian assistance during natural disasters.
- Capacity Building: The Indian Navy has been engaged in capacity-building efforts, helping IOR nations strengthen their maritime security capabilities and build professional naval expertise.
ABOUT SAGAR
- Launched: In 2015. It is focusing on a peaceful, open, & prosperous Indo Pacific region.
- Main Goals:
- Counter Chinese Influence: it is Strengthening ties with countries in the Indian Ocean region.
- Maritime Security: it is Combating piracy, terrorism, & illegal activities at sea.
- Capacity Building: it is Helping other countries with disaster response & infrastructure.
- Economic Growth: it is Promoting regional trade & investment.
- Related Program: MAHASAGAR focuses on improving maritime security & regional cooperation.
KEY INDIAN INITIATIVES SUPPORTING SAGAR
- South Asia Satellite (SAS): it Improves communication & disaster management among neighboring countries.
- Mission SAGAR: it Provided COVID-19 medical aid to countries in the Indian Ocean region.
- Vaccine Maitri: it Supplied COVID-19 vaccines to nations like Bhutan & Maldives.
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project: it Enhances connectivity between India, Myanmar, & Southeast Asia.
CONCLUSION
The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar initiative and the AIKEYME exercise represent significant steps in strengthening India’s strategic maritime ties with African nations and enhancing its leadership in regional security efforts. These initiatives will help counter emerging threats like piracy, improve maritime security cooperation, and reinforce India’s position as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region, further cementing its role in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
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