An Indian delegation led by Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar is on a visit to Kenya in an effort to build the bilateral defence ties, when they attended a defence exhibition and seminar at Nairobi on Monday (January 19, 2026).
The four-member delegation will be on a tour of Kenya till Wednesday (January 21), when India will showcase its defence manufacturing capabilities, represented by 20 Indian companies at the exhibition and seminar, according to the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.
What is the purpose of the Indian delegation’s Kenya visit?
Sanjeev Kumar led the Indian defence manufacturing and export ecosystem at the event organised under the Brand India Scheme of the Department of Defence Production, a statement from the MoD said.
“A four-member Indian delegation, led by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, will be on an official visit to Kenya from January 19 to 21, 2026. The Secretary (Defence Production) will represent India’s defence manufacturing and export ecosystem at the third India-Kenya Defence Exhibition and Seminar organised under the Brand India scheme of the Department of Defence Production, scheduled to be held in Nairobi on January 19, 2026,” it said.
Who represented the Indian companies at the exhibition?
The Indian companies at the exhibition and seminar came from both the public and the private sector and they showcased a wide range of military systems and products, highlighting the growing capabilities of the Indian aerospace and defence industrial complex.
High Commissioner of India to Kenya, Adarsh Swaika, attended the event. “The visit reflects the Government of India’s vision to strengthen defence industrial cooperation and exports,” the ministry said.
What other engagements would Indian officials have in Kenya?
During the visit, Sanjeev Kumar would hold meetings with the Kenyan government and the defence forces officers. “These bilateral discussions will focus on promoting India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and exploring opportunities for mutual collaboration.”
The first such event was held in November 2022 and was organised by the Indian High Commission in Nairobi. The latest event marked the continuation of efforts to deepen the defence industrial engagement between the two nations.
How have India and Kenya grown their defence ties?
India and Kenya share long-standing relations in the field of defence cooperation, a statement from the High Commission of India in Nairobi said. “India offers several training courses each year to personnel of the Kenyan defence forces at its military institutions,” it said.
Military delegations from both countries regularly undertake official visits and study tours to exchange best practices and identify areas for further engagement.
Indian Navy ships also regularly pay goodwill visits to Mombasa, during which professional interactions are held with Kenya defence forces personnel, apart from conducting joint hydrographic surveys with Kenyan officials in Kenyan waters in 2013 and 2014.
How did India and Kenya leaders contribute to this growing relationship?
Defence ties received a further push during high-level visits when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Kenya in July 2016, and later during the State Visit of the Kenyan President to India in January 2017. Both countries agreed to enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation through several initiatives during the discussions during those visits.
In July 2016, India and Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation, and India gifted 30 Field Ambulances to the Kenya defence forces to support its role in combat duties, the High Commission of India said.
Earlier, former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. K. Dhowan had visited Kenya in November 2015, further reinforcing defence engagement between the two nations.