MOMBASA Kenya, June 23 -India and Kenya’s naval forces will undertake joint training to bolster maritime security and strengthen coordination.
A delegation from the Indian Navy led by the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru, is in the country for a series of activities to broaden the existing cordial relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The visit is in pursuance of the Kenya-India Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) engagement, which recommended high-level visits by the two militaries.
On Friday June 23, Vice Admiral Mahindru paid a courtesy call to Commander Kenya Navy Maj. Gen. Jimson Mutai at the Kenya Navy Headquarters in Mombasa.
The delegation visited the Full Mission Bridge Simulator at the Kenya Naval Training College where they were acquainted with the operation of the facility in promoting maritime domain awareness through training and modernization of equipment towards better interoperability.
The Indian Naval Ship Sunayna also made a port call to Mombasa between June 20 and 23, the same time Vice Admiral Mahindru visited the country on invitation of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)
During the period the ship was in Mombasa, both navies participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) comprising joint training and practical demonstrations over a spectrum of maritime topics.
The MPX reflects India and Kenya’s shared commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean.
The ship also represented the ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ on the occasion of 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations which were held on June 21. Personnel from both navies performed Yoga on the deck of Sunayna, promoting health and peace across Oceans.
Commanded by Commander Siddharth Raut, INS Sunayna is manned by a crew of 22 officers and 160 sailors.
The visit of INS Sunayna was preceded by visit of Indian Naval Ship Trishul on a port call from May 26 to 29, 2023 as part of a 6 African Nation passage.
Kenya and India have in the recent past intensified relations, with the second Joint Defence Cooperation Committee held in Nairobi on November 8-9, 2022.
The JDCC was co-chaired by Joint Secretary Armed Forces Shri Manish Tripathi and Major General Frederick Leuria, Assistant Chief of Defence Forces, Operations, Plans, Doctrine and Training.
This meeting was preceded by a three-day visit of Kenyan military delegation led by Maj.Gen Fatuma Ahmed, Commandant, Kenya Military Academy, to the Indian Military Academy.
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