The government of India has officially declared a deadly car explosion in New Delhi a “heinous terror incident,” prompting an urgent, high-level investigation and raising security concerns for its international partners, including Kenya. The blast, which occurred on the evening of Monday, November 10, 2025, near the historic Red Fort, killed at least 13 people and left more than 30 injured.

In a formal resolution passed during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the government condemned the explosion as a “dastardly and cowardly act” perpetrated by “anti-national forces.” The statement directed investigative agencies to pursue the case with “utmost urgency and professionalism” to bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to justice. India’s premier counter-terrorism body, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has taken over the probe, indicating the seriousness with which the government views the attack. While authorities have detained several individuals in connection with the blast, no group has yet claimed responsibility.

Implications for Kenya-India Relations

While the attack occurred thousands of kilometres away, its designation as a terrorist act resonates deeply with Kenya, a nation that has faced significant security challenges from terrorism. The incident brings into sharp focus the robust, albeit often understated, security and counter-terrorism partnership between the two Indian Ocean neighbours. For years, India and Kenya have collaborated on security matters, a partnership underscored by a mutual agreement to increase cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism, as confirmed by Prime Minister Modi in December 2023.

This cooperation is multifaceted, involving intelligence sharing, capacity building, and joint efforts to secure maritime routes against threats of piracy and terrorism under India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Both nations have been victims of high-profile terrorist attacks and share a common interest in dismantling terror networks. In March 2019, the India-Kenya Joint Commission Meeting explicitly condemned terrorism in all its forms, referencing attacks in both Nairobi and India, and pledged to strengthen cooperation. The Delhi blast serves as a critical reminder of these shared vulnerabilities and the necessity for continued collaboration.

As of Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs had not issued a public statement regarding the incident. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

Deep Economic and Diaspora Ties

Beyond the security lens, the stability of India is of significant economic and social importance to Kenya. India is one of Kenya's top trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at US$3.35 billion in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Key Indian exports to Kenya include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, which are vital for the Kenyan economy. Furthermore, India has surpassed China as the leading source of Asian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Kenya, with over 60 major Indian companies operating locally in manufacturing, banking, and IT.

The human connection is equally profound. Kenya is home to a vibrant community of approximately 80,000 to 100,000 people of Indian origin, who are integral to the nation's economic and social fabric. This community, recognized as Kenya's 44th tribe in 2017, acts as a living bridge between the two nations. Additionally, thousands of Kenyans travel to India annually for education, tourism, and specialized medical treatment, making any instability a direct concern for many Kenyan families.

Global Context and Investigation

The attack is the deadliest of its kind in New Delhi in over a decade and has put the entire region on high alert. The investigation has expanded to multiple Indian states, with law enforcement exploring links to a recently uncovered terror module involving radicalized professionals. DNA evidence has reportedly identified one of the primary suspects, believed to have been in the vehicle when it exploded. The Indian government has reiterated its “unwavering commitment” to a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. As the investigation unfolds, Kenya and other global partners will be watching closely, mindful that the reverberations of such an attack extend far beyond India's borders, impacting diplomatic, economic, and security dynamics worldwide.