New Delhi, June 8 (IANS) India and Kenya share deep historical ties, rooted in cultural exchanges, trade, and strategic partnership, with defence cooperation emerging as a central pillar. The fourth Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Nairobi at the end of February set a five-year roadmap to deepen military ties, expand training, and strengthen maritime security.

As part of the ties, Foreign Officer Cadet Antony Kalenge from Kenya is currently undergoing training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun. In a video message released by the Indian Army on Monday, the young cadet shared his experiences during the session.

He said that training at the IMA is designed to transform young cadets into disciplined, confident, and responsible military leaders. The training is physically demanding and mentally challenging, and it focuses on building leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

Kalenge recounted how the rigorous training and discipline have shaped his journey. He explained that the demanding environment teaches resilience and character, while bonds of friendship built with fellow cadets transcend national boundaries.

He also described how the training develops mental toughness, with exercises conducted under fatigue and pressure to train cadets to stay calm and focused in very difficult situations. Stressing the importance of teamwork, he noted, “No mission can succeed through individual efforts alone.”

On leadership, he said cadets are expected to motivate their teams, make quick decisions, and take responsibility during missions and exercises. “Leadership from the front is another core value taught during training,” he added.

“Overall, training at the IMA prepares future officers to serve their nation with courage, professionalism, discipline, and a strong sense of duty,” Kalenge stated, ending his 90-minute message with “Jai Hind”.

India and Kenya share contemporary ties marked by high-level exchanges, robust trade and investment, medical value travel from Kenya, and extensive people-to-people contacts. Both nations share a common legacy of struggle against colonialism, with many Indians participating in and supporting Kenya’s freedom struggle.

Apart from the JDCC, formed in 2019, several other bilateral institutional mechanisms drive cooperation. These include the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) at the Foreign Minister level set up in 1999, a Joint Trade Committee (JTC) at the Ministerial level (1983), and Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) instituted in 2003.

The Indian diaspora in Kenya, now numbering around 80,000, has played a vital role in commerce, education, and healthcare, strengthening people-to-people bonds. Several Kenyans of Indian origin have distinguished themselves as lawyers, judges, doctors, and academics.

Both nations are members of the Commonwealth and collaborate in multilateral forums such as the UN and the African Union.

–IANS

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