The port call marks a significant milestone, enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and Mozambique Navies
The Indian Navy’s INS Sunayna, currently deployed as part of the Indian Ocean Ship IOS SAGAR mission, arrived at Nacala Port in Mozambique on Thursday. During its port stay in Mozambique, the ship will engage in various collaborative activities, including joint training exercises with the Mozambique Navy, and community interactions.
The ship’s visit follows its participation in the inaugural session of the India-Africa maritime partnership exercise AIKEYME 25, held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The Ministry of Defence in a press release on Friday said, “INS Sunayna, currently on deployment to Africa as Indian Ocean Ship IOS SAGAR arrived at Nacala Port, Mozambique on 17 Apr 25. The ship had earlier participated in the inaugural session of the India-Africa maritime partnership exercise AIKEYME 25, at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The ship was flagged off on her mission from Karwar on 05 Apr 25 by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. She had embarked 44 naval personnel from nine friendly foreign nations, including Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, on her departure from India.”
“On her arrival at Nacala, the ship was welcomed by Commander Nelson H. Mabjaia, Chief of Commission, with the Mozambique Naval Band in attendance. A range of collaborative activities and outreach programs are planned to be held during the port stay, aimed at promoting capacity building, operational synergy, and community engagements with the Mozambique Navy. These include joint training on Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills as well as firefighting and damage control procedures. The ship will also host a deck reception on board for local officials and dignitaries in a celebration of maritime friendship.
Community interactions by the ship’s crew will feature a yoga session to promote wellness and health, ship visits for Indian diaspora and local school children, an interschool quiz competition focused on maritime awareness and regional history as well as a guided tour for military cadets of the Nampula Military Academy, to offer firsthand insights into naval operations.
The release further said that on completion of her port visit, the ship will embark personnel of Mozambique Navy as Sea Riders for a joint surveillance mission in the Mozambique Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), reaffirming the shared commitment to maritime security and countering non-traditional threats.
The port call marks a significant milestone, enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and Mozambique Navies. It also underscores India’s enduring commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region, enhancing mutual trust, and fostering collective regional security in consonance with the vision of the SAGAR initiative.
IOS SAGAR is a unique mission based on the Government of India’s regional initiative of maritime collaboration titled SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. The mission is aimed at fostering international cooperation between India and several African countries.
Meanwhile, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy, is on an official visit to Tanzania from April 12 to 16. This visit aims to bolster maritime cooperation and strengthen strategic ties between India and Tanzania.
A highlight of this visit is the inaugural edition of the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) exercise, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit and is scheduled from April 13 to 18.
Sharing a post on X, Indian Navy wrote, “Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, #CNS, is on an official visit to Tanzania from 12 – 16 Apr 25. The visit aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and strategic ties between India and Tanzania, underscoring India’s commitment to enhancing defence partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region.”
The post added, “The maiden edition of the large-scale multilateral exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement #AIKEYME, co-hosted by the #IndianNavy and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force #TPDF, is scheduled to be jointly inaugurated at Dar-es-Salaam on 13 Apr 25.”
The inaugural edition of the large-scale multilateral exercise AIKEYME, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, is planned for six days, from April 13 to 18, and will include participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa, alongside the co-hosts India and Tanzania.
This initiative aligns with vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, promoting the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
The Indian Naval Ships INS Chennai (destroyer) and INS Kesari [Landing Ship Tank (Large)] arrived in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on April 10 and 11, and the inauguration ceremony of AIKEYME will be co-hosted onboard, along with the Tanzanian Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF). A Ceremonial Guard was also paraded onboard INS Chennai with TPDF and Indian Navy band playing in unison the National Anthems of respective countries. (ANI)
