India and Tanzania to co-host first India-Africa naval exercise AKEM

International desk:

As a part of its military outreach to the African region, India will co-host a maritime exercise called Aikeme with Tanzania in the Indian Ocean in April 2025. The first military exercise Aikeme, which means unity in Sanskrit, will see the participation of 10 African countries, including Tanzania.The Indian government has also announced the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar Initiative to complement the Indian Navy's Ocean Initiative.The first edition of the Aikeme Maritime Exercise will be held from 13-18 April 2025 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.The exercise is expected to be inaugurated by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.It will be jointly conducted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania People's Defence Force.