Kenya and India are strengthening naval cooperation as the two countries seek to enhance maritime security, professional exchanges and capacity-building in the Indian Ocean, with the three-day visit of Indian Naval Ship INS Tarkash to Mombasa providing a platform for closer engagement between the two navies.
The visit to the Port of Mombasa from September 29 to October 1, 2026, brought together personnel from the Kenya Navy (KN) and the Indian Navy in a series of professional, security and community engagements aimed at reinforcing longstanding defence ties and cooperation in the maritime domain.
At a time when maritime security remains critical to the protection of shipping, trade and coastal economies in the Indian Ocean, the port call highlighted the importance of cooperation between Kenya and India in strengthening naval readiness and maintaining a secure maritime environment.
The engagements included opportunities for Kenyan and Indian naval personnel to interact, exchange experiences and build professional relationships. Such exchanges form part of broader efforts to strengthen interoperability and cooperation between the two maritime forces.
Beyond the security dimension, the visit featured activities designed to promote personnel welfare and strengthen relations between the two countries.
A joint yoga session was held onboard INS Tarkash, bringing together Kenya Navy personnel and the visiting crew. The activity provided an informal setting for interaction while promoting physical fitness and wellbeing.
The two sides also participated in a blood donation exercise at the Kenya Red Cross Society’s Koblenz Hall in Mombasa. Personnel from INS Tarkash, the Kenya Navy, the Kenya Red Cross Society and Regional Blood Bank Services took part in the initiative, linking military-to-military engagement with support for the wider community.
Naval personnel later competed in a friendly volleyball match at Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe, providing another opportunity to strengthen teamwork and camaraderie between the two forces.
The Indian delegation also undertook a community outreach programme at Sahajanand Special School in Mtwapa, accompanied by Kenya Navy personnel and India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Adarsh Swaika. The delegation interacted with learners and donated foodstuffs to the institution.
The maritime security dimension of the visit was further underscored when Dr Swaika paid a courtesy call on the Commander Kenya Navy Base Mtongwe, Brigadier William Kiprotich.
The meeting focused on strengthening the Kenya-India maritime partnership, including naval cooperation, professional exchanges, capacity building and sustained collaboration in the maritime domain.
For Kenya, cooperation with India provides an additional avenue for strengthening maritime capabilities at a time when the country’s strategic position along the western Indian Ocean makes maritime security increasingly important to national and regional economic interests.
The Port of Mombasa is a major gateway for Kenya and the wider East African region, connecting international shipping routes with regional markets. Maintaining secure sea lanes is therefore closely linked to the protection of trade, port infrastructure and supply chains.
India, meanwhile, has increasingly emphasised maritime cooperation with countries along the Indian Ocean, making naval engagements with Kenya significant for strengthening relationships with key coastal states in East Africa.
The Indian delegation also visited the Kenya Navy Hospital, where it was briefed on medical facilities and healthcare services available to naval personnel and their families.
The visit concluded with a reception at the Kenya Navy Officers’ Mess in honour of the INS Tarkash delegation.
Taken together, the engagements demonstrated that Kenya-India defence cooperation extends beyond ceremonial port calls. The interaction between the two navies is increasingly centred on maritime security, professional capacity building, personnel exchanges, and closer cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
The INS Tarkash visit therefore provided another platform for Kenya and India to consolidate their naval relationship while reinforcing wider bilateral ties between two countries with longstanding interests in the security and stability of the Indian Ocean.
