MOMBASA, Kenya: Naval cooperation between India and Kenya received a major boost as senior officers from the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) and commanding officers of visiting ships held wide-ranging discussions with Kenya Navy Commander Major General Paul Owuor Otieno on Sunday. The meeting underscored the two nations’ growing maritime partnership in the Indian Ocean region.
The Indian Navy spokesperson said the talks focused on areas of mutual interest, including regional security, joint training, and cooperative missions. Later, a ceremonial deck reception was hosted aboard Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shardul, showcasing what the spokesperson described as “deep-rooted historical linkages and maritime cooperation between India and Kenya.”
The First Training Squadron’s visit to Mombasa includes four Indian ships, INS Tir, INS Sujata, INS Shardul, and ICGS Sarathi. The squadron, currently on a long-range training deployment across the South West Indian Ocean Region, has already visited Seychelles, Mauritius, La Réunion, and Mozambique before arriving in Kenya on September 25.
The Kenya Navy, joined by the Defence Advisor and Acting High Commissioner of India, formally welcomed the squadron in Mombasa. The visit is set to feature a variety of professional and cultural engagements, from Maritime Partnership Exercises (MPX) and Passage Exercises (PASSEX) to joint yoga sessions, a combined Indian–Kenya Navy band performance, and outreach activities with the local community.
India’s Ministry of Defence emphasized that the deployment underlines the spirit of MAHASAGAR — “Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions”, reflecting India’s vision of collaborative maritime security.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that India and Kenya, as maritime neighbours, have forged a “robust and multi-faceted partnership,” with cooperation extending beyond defence into growing trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. India is one of Kenya’s top trading partners, while thousands of Indians of Kenyan origin continue to play an important role in the country’s economic and cultural fabric.
The visit is widely seen as another step in cementing New Delhi’s Indian Ocean outreach, strengthening South-South maritime ties, and balancing increasing external naval influence in East Africa.
-WNN
