To strengthen bilateral defense ties with African nations, the Indian Raksha Rajya Mantri (Minister of State for Defence), Shri Sanjay Seth, will lead a high-level Indian delegation on an official visit to the Republics of Kenya and Madagascar from June 23 to June 26, 2025. The visit aims to deepen strategic partnerships with the two key maritime nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), with a strong emphasis on historical camaraderie, defense cooperation, and regional security.
Raksha Rajya Mantri To Unveil A Commemorative Pillar
During the first leg of the visit, Raksha Rajya Mantri will arrive in Kenya on June 23, where he will participate in the joint unveiling of a Commemorative Pillar at Taita-Taveta County. The memorial pays homage to the Indian and Kenyan soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during global conflicts, notably World Wars I and II. This gesture reinforces the enduring historical bond between the two countries and their shared legacy of military valor and resistance against colonialism.
India and Kenya share a strategic maritime boundary in the western Indian Ocean. Bilateral relations between the two democracies have grown increasingly dynamic, bolstered by defense training programs, joint military exercises, and cooperation in maritime domain awareness (MDA). The Indian Navy has maintained a visible presence in the region, supporting peacekeeping, anti-piracy patrols, and humanitarian missions.
Kenya’s invitation, extended through its Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Defence, reflects mutual intent to enhance defense diplomacy and interoperability.
Reinforcing Regional Partnerships With Madagascar
On June 26, Raksha Rajya Mantri will attend the 65th Independence Day Celebrations of the Republic of Madagascar, as well as the anniversary of the formation of the Malagasy Armed Forces, held in Antananarivo, the capital city. The visit is at the invitation of the Minister of Armed Forces of Madagascar, signaling the growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Antananarivo.
India’s defense and security cooperation with Madagascar has witnessed a steady uptick, particularly in the maritime domain. As an island nation located at a critical juncture in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar is pivotal to India’s vision for Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), which is a cornerstone of India’s maritime diplomacy.
The Indian Navy has conducted several Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Madagascar, most notably during Cyclone Diane in 2020. Such missions have strengthened India’s image as a reliable security partner and first responder in the IOR.
Historical and Diplomatic Context
The Indo-African strategic outreach, especially with countries like Kenya and Madagascar, aligns with India’s broader foreign policy objective of enhancing ties with Africa under the India-Africa Framework for Strategic Cooperation. The India-Kenya relationship, in particular, is founded on deep-rooted historical connections—many Indians supported Kenya’s independence movement, and a substantial Indian diaspora continues to play a significant role in Kenyan society and economy.
Both Kenya and Madagascar are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and their growing defense engagement with India is expected to contribute significantly to regional maritime security architecture, counterterrorism efforts, and anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean.
Unpacking The Strategic Significance of the Visit
Shri Sanjay Seth’s dual-nation tour highlights India’s evolving role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirms the country’s commitment to cooperative security, capacity building, and fostering defense-industrial partnerships. The visit also underlines India’s increasing emphasis on military diplomacy as a core component of its foreign policy toolkit.
The presence of high-ranking officials at such ceremonial and strategic events signals a deeper political will to institutionalize military-to-military cooperation, defense dialogues, and possible expansion into joint defense manufacturing, training, and logistics support.
The visit of Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth to Kenya and Madagascar from June 23 to 26, 2025, thus, represents a vital step in strengthening India’s defense and strategic partnerships in the western Indian Ocean. Through this high-level engagement, India seeks to reinforce historical ties, honor shared sacrifices, and contribute proactively to regional peace, maritime security, and collective prosperity.
