High Commissioner's visit to Mtongwe Naval Base to review the ongoing cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Kenyan Navy and the MRI Machine project./HANDOUT
India and Kenya have strengthened their maritime and defence cooperation following the visit of Indian Naval Ship (INS) Tarkash to Mombasa.
The frontline guided-missile frigate was in Mombasa from September 29 to October 2, 2026, for a series of professional, operational, community, cultural and sporting engagements.
The High Commission of India in Nairobi said the visit involved personnel from the Indian Navy, Kenya Navy, Indian diaspora and local institutions.
Professional exchanges between the two navies covered navigation and watchkeeping duties, engineering practices, medical support and preparations for joint operations at sea.
The personnel also took part in friendly sporting activities and interactions aimed at strengthening camaraderie and mutual understanding.
The visit also featured community outreach activities in Mombasa and Kilifi.
High Commissioner of India to Kenya Dr Adarsh Swaika, the Assistant High Commissioner in Mombasa and INS Tarkash personnel visited Sahjanand Special School in Mtwapa, Kilifi, where donations were made in support of the institution.
Personnel from the ship also participated in a blood donation camp organised in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross in Mombasa.Joint Training sessions onboard INS Tarkash/HANDOUT
The two countries also explored cooperation in military healthcare.
Swaika visited Mtongwe Naval Base to review ongoing India-Kenya naval cooperation and inspected the site earmarked for the installation of an MRI machine being gifted by the Indian Navy to the Kenya Navy.
Medical personnel from both navies exchanged experiences, including on telemedicine facilities available onboard INS Tarkash.
The ship was also opened to visitors during its stay, welcoming students from Sahjanand Special School, members of the Indian diaspora and the local community.
A yoga session onboard brought together personnel from the Indian and Kenya Navies and members of the diaspora, highlighting the people-to-people dimension of the bilateral relationship.Young school children onboard INS Tarkash/HANDOUT
Swaika and Captain Rohit Mishra, Commanding Officer of INS Tarkash, also co-hosted a deck reception attended by representatives of the Kenya Navy, diplomatic corps and Indian community.
The interaction underscored the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared interest in peace, stability and maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
The visit concluded with a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) between INS Tarkash and Kenya Navy Ship Jasiri off Mombasa.
The exercise was aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies.Yoga session onboard INS Tarkash/HANDOUT
The High Commission said this was the second visit by an Indian Navy ship to Kenya in 2026, following INS Trikand's visit to Mombasa in April.
It said the visits reflected the "growing momentum" in India-Kenya naval engagement, covering training, professional exchanges, medical cooperation and maritime operations.
The forthcoming maiden India-Kenya Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks are expected to provide a further structured platform to deepen the partnership.INS Tarkash docking into Mombasa Port/HANDOUT