India launches first maritime exercises with African nations to strengthen presence in Indian Ocean

India is set to conduct naval exercises with a group of African nations, marking its first maritime collaboration of this kind aimed at balancing China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.

The exercises, which are expected to begin on April 11, will see participation from up to 10 countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Madagascar, according to India’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Tarun Sobti. He announced that the drills would include multiple phases, such as live-fire exercises.