High Commission of India
Nairobi
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Press Release
HANDOVER OF NAUTICAL CHARTS TO KENYA’S MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Aligned with the Government of Kenya’s thrust on Blue Economy, the Government of India handed over 100 nautical charts covering the general coastal area around the Lamu Archipelago to the Government of Kenya, subsequent to a joint survey of the area by the Indian and the Kenyan Navy. In a ceremony at the Kenyan Ministry of Defence, the charts were handed over by High Commissioner Namgya Khampa to Hon. Patrick Mariru, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Defence, on 1 February, 2023.
2. India and Kenya are maritime partners bound by the Indian Ocean with common stakes in safe, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The survey was carried out under the aegis of the National Hydrography Office of the Indian Navy at a total cost of about US$ 1.8 Million. India has been undertaking surveys for Friendly Foreign Countries in the region to help update the vintage charts that are at times almost 100 years old.
3. The surveys for Kenya were undertaken at the request of Government of Kenya by deploying Indian Naval Hydrographic ships. The Government of India also provides capacity building assistance to the Hydrographers from the Government of Kenya including basic to advanced hydrography courses as asked by Kenyan side over last few years. Till date, a total of 14 Kenyan personnel have undergone courses at the National Institute of Hydrography, Goa under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) assistance programme.
Nairobi
1 February 2023
