4th Meeting of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee between India and Kenya Concluded
4th Meeting of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee between India and Kenya Concluded
The fourth meeting of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) between India and Kenya was held in Nairobi, Kenyabetween 24th and 26th February 2026. Discussions focused on expanding Services engagements, enhancing training opportunities, strengthening maritime security cooperation, and promoting collaboration in defence R&D and production.
Both countries expressed satisfaction on the progress made since the previous JDCC meeting and agreed to formulate a five year roadmap to further deepen and expand defence cooperation. Both sides agreed to broaden the scope of service-to-service engagements, including initiating structured interactions between their respective Navies.
Both countries deliberated on cooperation in customized training programmes, instituting military exercises, border management, capacity building in advanced domains such as Electronic Warfare, Cyber Security, cooperation in military medical services, including training and knowledge exchange.
The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (IC) and Major General Fredrick L. Leuria, Assistant Chief of Defence Forces, Kenya. The Indian delegation included senior officers from Department of Defence, Services and DGAFMS. Ambassador of India in Kenya Dr. Adarsh Swaika and India’s Defence Attache in Kenya also joined the meeting.
The Indian delegation called on Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri and Principal Secretary Defence Dr Patrick Mariru of Kenya and briefed them on the key outcomes of the 4th India-Kenya JDCC. The discussions focused on expanding and deepening India-Kenya defence cooperation.
The Indian delegation interacted with Commandant NDC, Kenya Lt Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai who briefed them on the role of NDC Kenya in preparing Kenyan Defence Forces and civilians to make strategic and important decisions in their future higher roles. Both sides discussed ways to further strengthen defence training cooperation between India and Kenya.
The Indian delegation also called on Commander of Kenya Navy Maj Gen Paul Otieno at the Mtongwe Naval base. They discussed ways to further strengthen Naval cooperation through deeper engagement between the two Navies. As part of the visit, the delegation toured the CT Scan Radiology Centre at Mtongwe, gaining insights into ongoing initiatives in military medical infrastructure and healthcare support services, and Kenya Naval Training College at the naval base.
Joint Secretary (IC) also paid homage at the Joint India-Africa Commemorative Memorial at Mile 27, Taita Taveta County, Kenya to honour the valour and the supreme sacrifice of the unknown Indian and African soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I in the East African theatre, reaffirming the shared respect for the sacrifices of Indian and African soldiers.
India attaches great importance to its relationship with Kenya, which is anchored in historical links, shared democratic values and close people-to-people ties.