Kenya and India have deepened their security partnership in the Indian Ocean following high-level talks between the Kenya Navy and the Indian Navy in New Delhi.
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) announced on Tuesday, October 7, that the recent visit by Kenya Navy Commander Major General Paul Otieno to India marked a significant milestone in strengthening defence ties between the two nations.
“Commander Kenya Navy, Major General Paul Otieno, recently made an official visit to India, marking a significant step in enhancing defence cooperation between the Kenya Navy and Indian Navy.”
Major General Otieno led the Kenyan delegation that the Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi received at South Block in New Delhi, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour.
The two naval chiefs held discussions focused on strengthening practical cooperation.
“Maritime issues of mutual concern, including maritime cooperation, regional maritime security challenges, training cooperation, information exchange and capacity building,” the statement added further.
KDF noted that the talks underscored the determination of both countries to maintain the safety of the Western Indian Ocean.
“Their deliberations reinforced the shared commitment of Kenya and India to regional maritime security, peace and stability within the Western Indian Ocean.”
The meeting was also part of the follow-up to the joint maritime vision code-named BAHARI, launched in December 2023 by President William Ruto and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The vision set a roadmap for enhanced cooperation in training, information sharing, and joint action on maritime challenges.
During his trip, Major General Otieno also held talks with India’s Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.
“He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to a collective response to regional maritime security challenges and appreciated the unique contribution of the Indian Navy in the security and stability of the Indian Ocean region,” KDF said.
As part of the visit, the Kenya Navy chief laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi to honour fallen Indian soldiers.
The delegation also toured the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram. KDF said, “Major Brian Twalah was inducted as the first International Liaison Officer representing Kenya and the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA) at the IFC-IOR.”
The IFC-IOR was established by the Indian Navy in 2018 to enhance regional maritime domain awareness and coordinate responses to piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other transnational threats.
Kenya’s placement of a liaison officer there strengthens its direct link to real-time maritime intelligence and regional cooperation.
The Western Indian Ocean is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world, carrying a significant portion of global trade. However, it continues to face threats, including piracy, illicit fishing, and drug trafficking.
By aligning under the BAHARI vision and expanding practical collaboration, Nairobi and New Delhi are positioning themselves as key players in efforts to secure the region’s waters.
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