\n 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 through its Integrated Coastal Surveillance System. However, “AIKEYME enhances the level of combined operational preparedness,” as noted by Sachdev, thereby facilitating quicker and better-coordinated reactions to marine security challenges.\n<\/p>\n
\n He stated that strategically, this exercise strengthens India\u2019s role as a dependable and non-coercive maritime ally, especially in nations such as Mozambique and Tanzania, where India maintains significant interests in LNG and ports.\n<\/p>\n
\n Sachdev stated that AIKEYME held significant geopolitical importance as it aligned with the policy objectives of the
\n United States
\n And other democratic allies were also mentioned. He stated, “The United States has continually urged partners such as India to assume more significant responsibilities in ensuring regional security, particularly within the Indian Ocean and the broader Indo-Pacific region.”\n<\/p>\n
\n A ‘managerial role’
\n<\/h3>\n
\n The scheduling of AIKEYME is not accidental. China, with its vast
\n Belt and Road Initiative
\n has solidified its position as Africa\u2019s biggest trading partner and lender, with official statistics indicating that commerce between them totaled $295 billion last year. China has additionally set up a military presence in Djibouti and significantly increased investment in East African ports and infrastructure.\n<\/p>\n
\n India\u2019s action is seen as a deliberate strategy to offset Beijing’s increasing clout, according to experts. Analysts suggest that East Africa holds significant strategic importance for India across various sectors such as energy resources. In this light, they believe this specific combined naval drill will enhance India’s reputation as a trustworthy ally in Africa. As stated by C. Uday Bhaskar, a retired Indian navy official and director of the Society for Policy Studies research organization, “This military exercise underscores India’s commitment to strengthening ties with African nations.”\n<\/p>\n
\n He recognized the difficulties involved, though. Given that China\u2019s economic assets vastly exceed those of India, Bhaskar suggested that Delhi should concentrate on fostering good relations instead of attempting to compete with China financially.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It would be perfect if India and China could both collaborate to support Africa, but achieving this would demand significant political acumen and cooperation from both nations,” he noted.\n<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1BW2TC.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n\n Alongside AIKEYME, there\u2019s another pioneering effort known as the Indian Ocean Ship Sagar. Between mid-April and early May, the offshore patrol ship INS Sunayana will operate with a mixed crew consisting of Indian naval officers alongside servicemen from nine African countries such as Kenya, Madagascar, and South Africa. This team will carry out combined patrols within the exclusive economic zones of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. During these operations, they\u2019ll also make stops at ports like Dar es Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria, and Mal\u00e9.\n<\/p>\n
\n Dongkeun Lee, a defense studies academic from the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University, noted that this initiative underscored India\u2019s ambition to assume a \u201cmanagement position\u201d within the Indian Ocean region.\n<\/p>\n
\n While the Western Indian Ocean is frequently excluded from discussions about the Indo-Pacific, especially within U.S. circles, India views the region as an integral part of the Indo-Pacific concept,” he stated. “Furthermore, several African nations participating in naval drills are situated in the Western Indian Ocean, highlighting India\u2019s desire to play a leading role throughout the larger area.\n<\/p>\n
\n Lee stated with certainty that China intended to broaden its Belt and Road investments throughout Africa. This suggests that programs like AIKEME and Sagar could be viewed as part of New Delhi\u2019s approach to counterbalance China\u2019s growing sway over the larger Indian Ocean area.\n<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1BVREM.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n\n The importance of AIKEYME has grown due to its timing after “Peace-Unity 2024,” a one-month joint military exercise conducted in mid-2024 involving China, Tanzania, and Mozambique. According to Paul Nantulya, a researcher affiliated with the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in the U.S., this particular drill marked China\u2019s biggest troop deployment to Africa since 1997.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It appears AIKEYME was intentionally made bigger than Peace-Unity 2024. Since China hasn\u2019t held any exercises in Africa for 2025, it will be intriguing to see their response to this upcoming Indian effort,” Nantulya commented.\n<\/p>\n
\n India’s economic involvement in Africa began before China started engaging with the continent, he stated. “India boasts a significantly larger native populace that forms an integral part of Africa\u2019s demographics, arriving in the 17th century and actively participating in the region’s political landscape, particularly during its fight for freedom,” explained Nantulya.\n<\/p>\n
\n This indicates that they possess an edge since they assimilate with African communities and turn ‘native’ in a manner that Chinese enclaves do not.\n<\/p>\n
\n Economic, strategic stakes
\n<\/h3>\n
\n According to the Confederation of Indian Industry, India\u2019s commerce with Africa amounts to $83 billion, with 90 percent of this volume transacted through maritime channels. In the last ten years, New Delhi has provided approximately $12 billion in credit to 42 African countries, accounting for roughly 40 percent of its international credit pledges.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, commentators indicate that India’s initiatives appear modest alongside China’s substantial investments. These Chinese investments encompass 643 direct projects totaling $150 billion, as reported by the Hinrich Foundation, a trade sustainability organization based in Singapore.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Towards this objective, India\u2019s 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\u2019s main hurdle was China\u2019s extensive economic involvement in Africa.\n<\/p>\n