Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is on a three-day bilateral visit to India and has indicated her country's readiness to participate in significant Indian initiatives. During a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she expressed approval for Tanzania's involvement in flagship Indian programs, including the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).

Following her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Samia Suluhu Hassan announced the elevation of India-Tanzania relations to a strategic partnership. As part of this partnership, Tanzania will receive an additional 1,000 Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) slots over the next five years, focusing on areas such as smart ports, space technology, biotechnology, and more.

Furthermore, the number of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships in Tanzania will increase from 70 to 85 per year. Tanzania also expressed its support for India's bid for non-permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2028.

Both nations agreed to initiate a policy planning dialogue between their foreign ministries and signed several MoUs to strengthen cooperation. These agreements cover a wide range of areas, including sharing digital solutions, exchanging white shipping information, promoting cultural exchange programs, supporting sports, establishing an industrial park, and fostering collaboration in the maritime industry.

In a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (ER) Dammu Ravi said, "India-Tanzanian relations have registered good progress in recent times which is why today's visit is very significant that both sides have agreed to elevate the relationship to that of a strategic partnership."

Both nations are actively exploring new avenues for collaboration. These include potential initiatives such as facilitating trade in local currencies and the establishment of an Indian industrial park in Tanzania. Additionally, there are discussions regarding the provision of vocational training opportunities for Tanzanian youth.

The Tanzanian President highlighted the ongoing growth in trade and investment between both nations. She emphasized that India has now secured its position as Tanzania's third-largest trading partner in Africa

"On trade and investment, the numbers are satisfying. We are growing. In investment Indian investors in Tanzania, the number is growing. The value of the projects is growing as well. On trade volumes, the numbers are growing. As we're speaking up to 2022, our figures were USD 3.1 billion. So this makes India the third largest trading partner in Tanzania and the fifth largest investor in our country," she said.

Suluhu drew a parallel between India and an "extended family member" and commended PM Modi for successfully hosting the G20 Summit in New Delhi. She further conveyed her appreciation to the Indian government for its support in various socio-economic initiatives.

"We are aware of the coming India-Africa Summit and Tanzania has pledged that we'll be participating fully in this summit and we are ready to play the role that will be required to play to make the summit successful," she added.

Before her bilateral meeting with PM Modi, Suluhu received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony.

During the MoU exchange program, PM Modi declared, "Today marks a historic milestone in the relationship between India and Tanzania. We are officially elevating our longstanding friendship to a Strategic Partnership."

The Prime Minister emphasized that Tanzania holds the position of being India's "largest and most intimate development partner" on the African continent. Furthermore, he announced Tanzania's decision to become a part of the GBA initiative, which was launched during the G20 Summit.

PM Modi highlighted the importance of technology in development cooperation between India and Tanzania. An IIT Madras centre was established in Zanzibar under an MoU signed in July. This visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and is the first Tanzanian presidential visit to India in over eight years.

Image source: India Today