Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Monday arrived in India for a three-day State Visit.
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the visit is aimed at enhancing defence cooperation between Kenya and India.
“The visiting dignitary is expected to visit Indian shipyards and Defence industries in Goa and Bengaluru during his stay,” read the Indian Defence Ministry statement.
CS Duale’s inaugural trip to India is considered the most significant individual political visit from Kenya since the Kenya Kwanza government took office in September 2022.
During his visit, Duale will be hosted by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, his Indian counterpart.
It is expected that new avenues for strengthening Defence cooperation between the two countries will be developed.
While describing the visit as historical, India said that it is indicative of the importance the country attaches to its relations with African nations, especially the growing cooperation between India and Kenya.
Duale will also visit the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which is an Indian Government-owned shipbuilding entity situated along the West Coast of India in Vasco da Gama, Goa.
Earlier this month, CS Duale hosted the Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Namgya Khampa at the Defence Headquarters, in Nairobi.
Duale said India is one of Kenya's strategic allies in Asia with the two countries having a firm history of cooperation, notably in trade and defence, dating way before independence.
"Our two countries have a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation in the field of military medical services, training and exercises, military culture, sports, and adventure as well as the supply of military materials and equipment," Duale said.
Further, Duale added that Kenya and India have an active MoU on sharing White Shipping Information.
He said it is aimed at improving maritime security through the sharing of unclassified information through dedicated Automatic Information Systems (AIS) receivers for monitoring commercial ships and passenger liners.
