The visit was marked by professional interactions, collaborative training exercises, and outreach programmes, with a particular focus on fostering interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Kenyan Navy….reports Asian Lite News
In alignment with India’s growing engagement with East Africa, and as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), Indian Naval Ship (INS) Talwar recently concluded its significant port call to Mombasa, Kenya. The visit, which took place from September 22 to September 25, 2024, aimed at reinforcing maritime cooperation between India and Kenya and enhancing regional maritime security.
The visit was marked by professional interactions, collaborative training exercises, and outreach programmes, with a particular focus on fostering interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Kenyan Navy. The culmination of the port visit saw a high-level Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Surveillance and Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between INS Talwar and Kenyan Naval Ship (KNS) Shujaa, which further bolstered operational readiness and coordination between the two maritime forces.
INS Talwar’s visit to Mombasa represents a strategic engagement between India and Kenya, reinforcing the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to support maritime security and collaboration in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
During the harbour phase of the visit, the Commanding Officer of INS Talwar, along with senior naval personnel, paid an official call to Brigadier JS Kiswaa, the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Navy, at Mtongwe Naval Base. The discussions focused on enhancing professional exchanges, joint training programs, and continued naval cooperation between the two nations.
The interactions between the Indian and Kenyan naval teams included demonstrations of various naval procedures and tactics, such as Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations and Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence (NBCD) measures. These drills are crucial for developing coordinated responses to threats and ensuring both nations’ ability to operate seamlessly in joint operations.
Beyond professional exchanges, the port call provided opportunities for both naval contingents to engage in cultural and social bonding. Personnel from both navies participated in yoga sessions and friendly sports fixtures, fostering camaraderie and mutual understanding. As part of their community outreach, the crew of INS Talwar visited a local orphanage in Mombasa, contributing to the goodwill and fostering positive relations between the Indian Navy and the Kenyan community.
This blend of professional and social engagement underscores the holistic approach that both navies have adopted to enhance bilateral ties. The collaborative spirit displayed during the port visit echoes the broader objectives of SAGAR, which emphasizes inclusive growth, regional cooperation, and mutual prosperity.
The maritime exercises are designed to bolster interoperability between the Indian and Kenyan naval forces, equipping both navies with the skills and coordination needed to jointly address maritime security threats, such as piracy, smuggling, and other illegal activities in the Indian Ocean Region. The joint drills also involved navigation and communication exercises, search and rescue operations, and tactical maneuvers that demonstrated the professional competence of both navies.
The crew of KNS Shujaa had earlier visited INS Talwar to familiarize themselves with the exercise program and finalize the operational procedures for the joint exercise.
INS Talwar’s visit and the joint exercises with the Kenyan Navy are part of a broader strategic vision outlined by India’s government. The visit supports the Joint Vision Statement ‘BAHARI,’ released in December 2023, which emphasizes greater collaboration between India and East African nations to safeguard the Indian Ocean Region’s security and economic interests.
India’s Vision of SAGAR places maritime security at the forefront of regional cooperation, underscoring the importance of developing strong naval partnerships with key East African nations like Kenya. Through engagements such as this port call and joint exercise, both India and Kenya can deepen their maritime cooperation, contributing to peace, stability, and growth across the region. The collaborative exercises also play a crucial role in enhancing India’s defense diplomacy, allowing the Indian Navy to engage with its counterparts in East Africa and build lasting partnerships based on trust, mutual respect, and shared goals. (India News Network)