Dodoma
India has started the largest naval maneuver in history to expand its dominance in African countries. According to media reports, India has its largest joint naval exercise with African countries, which aim to strengthen its influence in the African continent and the presence in the Indian Ocean. This is the region where China is constantly increasing its business and is using military impact to protect the business. Indian government and military officials, including India’s Deputy Defense Minister Sanjay Seth, inaugurated the six-day military exercise, which is co-Masbani Tanzania. Eight other countries including Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius and South Africa are participating in this military exercise.
Ackets believe that African countries become very important for India in terms of safety of the Indian Ocean. China’s first foreign military base is already operational in Djibouti. Apart from this, China is constantly strengthening its control in African countries through Belt and Road Initiative. Through this military exercise, India is trying to give the message that China will not be allowed to remain the only player in the African playground.
India’s giant practice with African countries
In FT’s report, experts have said that this exercise shows the widespread ambitions of New Delhi to play a more prominent role in marine operations. Which also includes anti -robbery efforts and deepens relations with the African continent countries. This is the region where Russia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates are also trying to increase their influences along with China. According to FT’s report, Indian officials have said that they have planned to make exercises, which would include both a “port stage” and a “sea stage”. This naval maneuver is a biennial event.
India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who met several of his African counterparts in February, flagged off a major Indian patrol vessel INS Sunayana last week. Which was deployed in the southwestern Indian Ocean along with destructive INS Chennai and other ships along with joint crew of participating countries. In the FT’s report, Sudarshan Shrikhande, Assistant Professor and former Indian Chief of Navy Intelligence Department at the Indian Navy War College in Goa, said that “qualitatively, this practice is a very new thing.” He further stated that this practice is “part of the growing diplomatic and economic association with Africa, where the big player is China.”
It is believed that this practice of India in Africa can also be a part of its multi-election policy. The Quad country, which has members of America, Japan, Australia besides India, its purpose is to protect the Indo-Pacific, with India can also work in future to reduce China’s influence in African countries.
