The Tanzanian and Zambian president are in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC…reporst Asian Lite News
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on Wednesday jointly witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on revitalization project of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) railway, state media reported.
The Tanzanian and Zambian president are in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Xinhua reported.
The 1,860-km-long railway from Dar es Salaam in east Tanzania to New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. China had provided a USD 400 million interest free loan to build the railway,
The three-day (September 4-6) summit marks the ninth editon of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and is being held amidst ongoing conflicts in Africa in its neighbouring West Asia, Ukraine, and China’s growing assertiveness in the Pacific region.
As per American news outlet CNN, Chinese officials have touted the gathering as the largest diplomatic event they’ve hosted in recent years.
Xi Jinping and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday attended a signing ceremony of cooperation documents.
As per Xinhua, Xi also today met with Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Further, the Chinese president met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Xi held talks with Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Faye and stated the bilateral cooperation has yielded tangible results and benefited the people of the two countries over the past years.
Chinese state media cited Xi as saying that China is willing to work with Senegal to realize their respective modernization, and advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to a new level, Xi said.
On Tuesday China and Nigeria issued a joint statement elevating their ties to a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held talks in Beijing ahead of the opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
As per a report in Al Jazeera, China’s State Council said that Tinubu expressed his hope that Nigeria would become China’s largest trade and investment partner in Africa.
The Nigerian President also welcomed Chinese companies to increase investments in the country, expand cooperation in fields such as agriculture, manufacturing and mineral energy, and help poverty reduction efforts, according to the State Council.
As per the Al Jazeera report the Chinese state-run Export-Import Bank of China is financing 85 per cent of the cost of the USD 5.8bn Mambilla hydroelectric plant, which will be the Nigeria’s biggest power plant upon its scheduled completion in 2030.
Chinese premier Li Qiang on September 3 met with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is on a State visit.
Also Xi Jinping and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday agreed to elevate bilateral relationship between the two countries.
As per CNN, this week marks Beijing’s chance to position China as a champion of the Global South and alternative leader to the US amidst Beijing’s rising frictions with Washington.
Beijing, said the US news outlet, is also expected to push to make Africa’s market a destination for its prolific production of green tech like solar panels and electric vehicles.
In 2021, China made ambitious pledges to Africa, including a commitment to import USD 300 billion worth of goods by 2024.
The CNN pointed out that a number of leaders attending the three-yearly Forum on China and Africa Cooperation are from countries grappling with heavy international debt, including from Chinese loans, and seek more investment and trade to boost their economies.
Since 2013, Xi has made five visits to Africa, traveling to Tanzania, South Africa, the Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Senegal, Rwanda and Mauritius. Since 2023, he has hosted at least 20 African leaders in China, the country’s state media reported. (ANI)
New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): Tanzanian Delegation led by Chief of Defence Forces, Tanzania, General Jacob John Mkunda during his visit to the Infantry School, on Thursday. (ANI Photo)
The Indian Navy welcomed the naval ships of Russia, Australia, Seychelles, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the US…reports Asian Lite News
The Indian Navy’s Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti met Cmde Frank Jotham Mwasiklile, Deputy Naval Commander & Chief of Naval Operations & Training of the Tanzanian Navy.
The leaders of the two navies met on the sidelines of MILAN 2024, a multinational naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam.
The two sides discussed avenues to enhance maritime cooperation.
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Navy said, “VAdm Tarun Sobti DCNS, interacted with Cmde Frank Jotham Mwasiklile, Deputy Naval Commander & Chief of Naval Operations & Training, Tanzania Navy. Highlighted relations b/n both navies & discussed avenues to enhance maritime cooperation.”
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Indian Navy’s Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti interacted with Commodore Jalil Mughadam, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Navy’s Southern Fleet and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the navies of the two nations.
The two sides also exchanged views on the contemporary maritime security environment and challenges. The 12th edition of the multilateral naval exercise Milan 2024 commenced in Visakhapatnam on February 19 with the arrival of warships and one maritime patrol aircraft from FFC.
In a post on X, Indian Navy spokesperson stated, “VAdm Tarun Sobti, #DCNS, interacted with Cmde Jalil Mughadam, Dy Commander of IRIN Southern Fleet, on the sidelines of #MILAN2024. Views exchanged on contemporary #MaritimeSecurity environment & challenges. Avenues to enhance cooperation b/n both navies also discussed.”
For Milan 2024, nearly 20 ships from the Indian Navy, including aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, and nearly 50 aircraft including MiG29K, LCA, Tejas and P8I are participating in the exercise.
The Indian Navy welcomed the naval ships of Russia, Australia, Seychelles, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the US.
The many naval ships that arrived in Visakhapatnam included: Marshal Shaposhnikov (BPK 543), a Udaloy Class Cruiser of the Russian Navy; Varyag (011), a Slava Class Cruiser of the Russian Navy; PS Zoroaster of Seychelles Coast Guard; IRIS Dena, a Moudge Class Frigate of the Iranian Navy; BNS Dhaleshwari, a Castle Class Missile Corvette of Bangladesh Navy and KD Lekir (FSG 26), a Kasturi Class Corvette of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Earlier, HMAS Warramunga, an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy, arrived in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Corvette 20 of the Vietnam People’s Navy and USS Halsey (DDG-97) of the United States Navy had also docked in Visakhapatnam to participate in the MILAN exercise.
During the Harbour Phase, a Table Top Exercise (TTX) was conducted at Maritime Warfare Centre in Visakhapatnam. 48 officers from 14 navies, including the Indian Navy, collaborated in crafting coordinated plans for convoy protection and disaster relief. (ANI)
Foreigners from 25 countries in all are being held by Hamas, Israel says. They make up 135 of the 224 being held – the largest number, 54, are from Thailand…reports Asian Lite News
Two Tanzanians and a South African are among the 224 hostages being held by Hamas after the 7 October attacks in Israel, the Israeli government says.
None of the three have been named.
Tanzania’s ambassador to Israel has confirmed that two of its citizens have been taken hostage.
Media has spoken to the father of one Tanzanian who has been reported missing in Israel – Joshua Mollel, who was an agriculture student on a kibbutz that was targeted.
He said on Thursday he still had not had any update on the fate of his son. Earlier in the week, he said they had not spoken since 5 October – two days before the attack – and that the whole family were sick with worry.
“We can’t eat or sleep – when I go to the market people ask me why I’m losing so much weight,” he said on Sunday. The South African authorities have not commented on the report that one of its citizens is among the hostages.
Foreigners from 25 countries in all are being held by Hamas, Israel says. They make up 135 of the 224 being held – the largest number, 54, are from Thailand.
They were taken when militants from Hamas – which Israel, the UK, US and other powers class as a terrorist organisation – crossed into Israel from Gaza killing at least 1,400 people. Israel has since retaliated with air strikes on Gaza, which the Hamas-run health ministry says have killed almost 6,500 people.
African Union chair ‘fully supports’ UN chief on Palestine
The chairperson of the African Union Commission gave his full support Thursday to the UN chief for Antonio Guterres’ “principled position and leadership” amid criticism for remarks on Israel’s military actions in Gaza at the Security Council.
“I fully support the principled position and leadership of @antonioguterres and the work of the @UN in the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” Moussa Faki Mahamat wrote on X.
“It is in line with International law and with the @_AfricanUnion position and relevant United Nations Resolutions,” he added.
Guterres condemned the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas when he addressed the Security Council on Tuesday, but he said it “did not happen in a vacuum.”
“The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation,” he said.
“They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing,” he added.
The comments drew anger from Israel, which demanded Guterres resign.
Guterres said he was “shocked by the misinterpretations” of his remarks and reiterated his appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to “ease suffering, make the delivery of aid easier and safer, and facilitate the release of hostages.”
The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood — a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.
Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 8,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,028 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.
Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.
With China already cementing its presence in the African country, experts opine that India should increase its focus on development sectors which include health, water management along with provision of drinking water and education besides the country’s digital framework, writes Mahua Venkatesh
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s State visit to New Delhi earlier this month – marking the first by any African leader after the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 frame – was not an ordinary one. A host of Indian companies including healthcare majors such as Max and Apollo, are already looking to either invest in Tanzania or expand their existing operations.
With China already cementing its presence in the African country, experts opine that India should increase its focus on development sectors which include health, water management along with provision of drinking water and education besides the country’s digital framework.
Last year, Apollo Hospitals Group and Eclipse Group, Africa signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a cancer treatment centre in Dar es Salaam. The partnership will allow Apollo Hospitals to provide healthcare services with advanced cancer care treatments in the country. The partnership will help patients from neighbouring countries to seek treatment as well.
“African countries are hoping to get more support from India in the social sectors—especially health. While India has been contributing in the health sector, it should look at further expanding its presence in this area,” an analyst told India Narrative.
India has also extended Lines of Credits (LoCs) amounting to over $1.1 billion covering fields of drinking water infrastructure, agriculture and defence.
India-supported water projects of $500 million running in 24 towns in Tanzania, once completed, will provide easy access to safe drinking water to about six million residents of these regions.
“These projects which touch the lives of the people and therefore, these go a long way in creating goodwill. India’s focus on the social sector will be a differentiator between New Delhi and Beijing,” the analyst said.
As India and Tanzania elevated their ties to the level of strategic partnership during Hassan’s visit, Dar es Salam could serve as an important platform for India as the latter tries to boost ties and outreach with the rest of Africa.
The two countries, which share maritime borders, are set to look at starting trade in local currencies.
Tanzania’s role in SAGAR policy
Dar es Salam will also play a key role in the Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR) vision of India. SAGAR programme unveiled in 2015 is aimed at strengthening marine cooperation and security especially amid China’s aggressive moves in the region.
In June this year, India and Tanzania set up a five-year roadmap for defence cooperation. Just before Hassan’s trip to India, Chief of Army Staff Manoj Pande was in Tanzania to take stock of the existing defence ties while Tanzania’s Defence Minister Stergomena Tax visited India in August 2022 and February this year. The two countries are also keen to expand the collaboration in newer areas of defence.
India has already deployed an Indian Military Training Team (IMTT) at Tanzania’s Command and Staff College in Duluti.
According to Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the fact that India has successfully hosted mini-Defence Expos twice in Dar es Salaam in May 2022 and October 2023 is an indication of the growing interest between both the countries in expanding their cooperation in the defence industry. “The Tanzanian example serves as a perfect template which India should try to implement in other African countries along the Western Indian Ocean region like Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, among others,” it said.
Given the challenges posed by China in the Indian Ocean, it is time for both India and Tanzania to re-orient their relations from focusing on training to a partnership that is more strategic in nature, the institute noted.
As the chair of the G20 India has positioned itself as the voice of the Global South.
Last year while unveiling the 2023 G20 summit logo and theme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the effort should be to ensure there is only one world by removing barriers including “First World” or “Third World”.
“India, as our 14 formidable members in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Commonwealth, and Group of 77 (G77) in the United Nations, continues to be our voice and mouthpiece in avenues where we do not have a seat. We trust India’s leadership not because of its sheer size and economy, but because of its historical contribution and moral standing,” Hassan said during her trip to India.
Post Covid re-engagement with Global South
President Suluhu Hassan’s State visit to India –just after Army Chief General Manoj Pande’s trip to the East African nation last week, is crucial for New Delhi and the Indo Pacific geopolitical contours. Tanzania will seek greater support from India in the area of healthcare. India, which has raised the pitch for “One Earth, One Family, One Future” as part of its overall focus on the Global South, has indicated that it is ready to handhold countries and partners in supporting social sectors including healthcare and education.
According to estimates, India receives about 50,000 African patients every year, seeking medical assistance starting from minor surgeries to dealing with organ transplants, cancer treatment and heart diseases. The number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
Insufficient funds, lack of trained doctors and nurses and poor medical infrastructure have come up as major challenges for Tanzania in the area of healthcare services. Though Dar es Salam has initiated reforms to upgrade the healthcare sector, it is still fraught with shortcomings.
India and Tanzania have been increasing cooperation in “strategic sectors such as water, health, agriculture, ICT, blue economy, education, trade and investment and agriculture,” Tanzanian news organisation Daily News said. The news organisation added that Hassan’s four-day visit to New Delhi underscores her government’s commitment to enhance and deepen the friendship and bilateral cooperation between Tanzania and India, which has been existing for decades.
“India as our 14 formidable members in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Commonwealth, and Group of 77 (G77) in the United Nations, continues to be our voice and mouthpiece in avenues where we do not have a seat. We trust India’s leadership not because of its sheer size and economy, but because of its historical contribution and moral standing,” Hassan said while speaking at the Jawaharlal University.
Interestingly, in July External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid a visit to Tanzania just after his trip to Kenya, in January, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led a delegation to Nairobi and Dar es Salam.
Brookings in a report noted that India and Africa’s historical links have experienced a revival in recent years, and there are strong reasons for optimism that the partnership could be mutually beneficial. In fact, in recent years, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, India made moves that indicate its intention to become Africa’s biggest partner. It also said that Present mega trends in Africa are supportive of India’s trade and investments in the region. Africa’s large working-age population, its growing middle class, and the significant share of services are all ingredients for value-adding trade and investment relationships.
India is Tanzania’s fourth largest trading partner with bilateral trade touching $6.5 billion in 2022-23. In 2017-18, it was $2.6 billion. India is also among the top five investment sources in Tanzania.
Notably, China, also a prominent voice in the continent, has been reducing lending to the continent. According to Reuters, Chinese sovereign lending to Africa fell below $1 billion last year – the lowest level in nearly two decades – underscoring Beijing’s shift away from a decades-long big ticket infrastructure spree on the continent.
Meanwhile, Hassan, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged India’s role as the G20 chair and being instrumental in inducting the African Union in the grouping. While Tanzania will seek greater support from India to strengthen social sectors such as health and education, it will seek a larger quantum of foreign direct investments as well from New Delhi. In a major move, the first overseas campus of Indian Institute of Technology will be set up in Tanzania.
The Tanzanian President’s visit ahead of the India-African summit slated to take place in December could have far reaching consequences. Hassan has not only reaffirmed the country’s participation but assured India of all support required to make the summit a success.
Samia Suluhu Hassan pointed out that African nations take great pleasure in India’s rise to a position of global significance because they are confident that New Delhi will always maintain its strong connection with Africa….reports Ateet Sharma
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, concluding her significant visit to New Delhi on Wednesday, reiterated India’s position as a prominent leader of the Global South, a steadfast ally of Africa, and an ascending global influence.
As many as 14 agreements and contracts, involving the government institutions and the private sector, were signed between the two countries since Hassan landed at the capital’s Palam airport Sunday evening.
This included a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Tanzania’s state-owned Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL) on cooperation in maritime industry.
Maritime security, defence cooperation, development cooperation and trade and investment are the four pillars on which stands the new strategic partnership between both the countries.
Having held two rounds of Joint Defence Coordination Committee meetings and two defence expos in Dar es Salaam – the latest edition of which took place during Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande’s visit to the East African nation last week – Tanzania is now also seeking a Line of Credit (LoC) to procure defence equipment, including the supply lines, from India.
“To us Tanzanians, India is not simply a country. India is an extended family member simply separated by a coastline, a
strategic ally, a dependable partner and a friend for all seasons,” Hassan said as she received her first foreign honorary doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Tuesday.
While she spoke on the growing bilateral trade volume – it has increased from USD 2.6 billion in 2017-2018 to USD 6.5 billion in 2022-2023 – the Tanzanian President spotlighted how the developing world “immensely appreciates” the leadership role being played by India.
“Beyond familyhood and trade partnership, India is our strategic ally. India is now a powerhouse. It possesses needed
soft and hard powers enough to shape outcomes, influence change, and able to raise a voice to be heard in the lobbying
corridors, and rooms where world decisions are made, and our fate as developing countries is decided,” she said.
Citing the example of the Indian Institute of Technology’s first overseas campus being opened in Zanzibar, the African leader pointed out how India has demonstrated a desire to export its success in skills development and technologies to Africa.
“India has remained truthful and loyal to the cause of the Global South and the developing countries in general. We appreciate the fact that you have continued to uphold the importance of multilateralism, and valuing society over market – people over profit. The role that builds hope for a better future.
African countries, Hassan mentioned, are delighted with India’s ascendancy to a position of global influence because they know that New Delhi will “never forget” Africa.
“We in Africa can say here today, without fear of contradiction, that even when India reaches a pinnacle of global power, as it is bound to at some point, it will still retain the noble cause of Global South in her heart.
“The geographical proximity, cultural affinity and demographic similarity give logic to a deeper Indo-Africa economic and political cooperation and partnership,” she added.
Sisi na India tumefungamana. Afrika haiwezi kuufikia uchumi wa dunia bila India, na kwamba Afrika iko pamoja na India katika kutatua changamoto na kuibua fursa mbalimbali kwa maendeleo yetu sote – Mhe. Rais Samia Suluhu Hassan pic.twitter.com/zyEnXGAZaS
Tanzania is a natural and effective transportation gateway into Eastern, Southern and Central Africa with its three deepwater ports in Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara that service six landlocked neighbouring countries of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia and Malawi.
It is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi and Congo to the west; and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in the south. To the east, it borders the Indian Ocean.
The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), which is launching the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, is also looking at connecting the Trans-African Corridor to Tanzania and, ultimately, the Indian Ocean.
India has been giving resonance to the voice of the Global South during its ongoing G20 Presidency and has always maintained that developing longstanding people-to-people links with the African countries will remain its top priority.
“Our destiny is intertwined. Africa cannot purport to penetrate to the center of the world economy without India. On the other side, India’s leadership of the Global South in pursuit of a fair global order cannot be attained, if Africa is in
the periphery,” Hassan said before returning home Wednesday.
Maritime security, defence cooperation, development cooperation and trade and investment are the four pillars on which stands the new strategic partnership between both the countries…reports Asian Lite News
India’s growing stature as the leader of the Global South, an all-weather friend of Africa and a rising global power was reaffirmed by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan as she wrapped up her landmark New Delhi visit on Wednesday.
As many as 14 agreements and contracts, involving the government institutions and the private sector, were signed between the two countries since Hassan landed at the capital’s Palam airport Sunday evening.
This included a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cochin Shipyard Limited and Tanzania’s state-owned Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL) on cooperation in maritime industry.
Maritime security, defence cooperation, development cooperation and trade and investment are the four pillars on which stands the new strategic partnership between both the countries.
Having held two rounds of Joint Defence Coordination Committee meetings and two defence expos in Dar es Salaam – the latest edition of which took place during Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande’s visit to the East African nation last week – Tanzania is now also seeking a Line of Credit (LoC) to procure defence equipment, including the supply lines, from India.
“To us Tanzanians, India is not simply a country. India is an extended family member simply separated by a coastline, a strategic ally, a dependable partner and a friend for all seasons,” Hassan said as she received her first foreign honorary doctorate from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Tuesday.
While she spoke on the growing bilateral trade volume – it has increased from USD 2.6 billion in 2017-2018 to USD 6.5 billion in 2022-2023 – the Tanzanian President spotlighted how the developing world “immensely appreciates” the leadership role being played by India.
“Beyond familyhood and trade partnership, India is our strategic ally. India is now a powerhouse. It possesses needed soft and hard powers enough to shape outcomes, influence change, and able to raise a voice to be heard in the lobbying corridors, and rooms where world decisions are made, and our fate as developing countries is decided,” she said.
Citing the example of the Indian Institute of Technology’s first overseas campus being opened in Zanzibar, the African leader pointed out how India has demonstrated a desire to export its success in skills development and technologies to Africa.
“India has remained truthful and loyal to the cause of the Global South and the developing countries in general. We appreciate the fact that you have continued to uphold the importance of multilateralism, and valuing society over market – people over profit. The role that builds hope for a better future.
African countries, Hassan mentioned, are delighted with India’s ascendancy to a position of global influence because they know that New Delhi will “never forget” Africa.
“We in Africa can say here today, without fear of contradiction, that even when India reaches a pinnacle of global power, as it is bound to at some point, it will still retain the noble cause of Global South in her heart.
“The geographical proximity, cultural affinity and demographic similarity give logic to a deeper Indo-Africa economic and political cooperation and partnership,” she added.
Prime Minister Modi held wide wide-ranging talks in Ne Delhi with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan who is in the country on a State visit….reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India and Tanzania are important partners for mutual trade and investment and both sides are working on an agreement to increase trade in local currencies.
Prime Minister Modi held wide wide-ranging talks in the national capital with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan who is in the country on a State visit.
The two leaders reviewed various facets of bilateral ties and discussed ways to further deepen the close and historic ties between the two countries.
Both sides also held delegation-level talks and on the agenda was a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade and investment, defence and maritime security, development partnership, higher education and people-to-people ties.
PM Modi said that Tanzania is India’s closest development partner in Africa,
Both PM Modi and Tanzanian President Hassan expressed a desire to expand bilateral trade using local currencies. The two leaders noted that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cleared the way for trade using local currencies.
A joint statement by India and Tanzania at the end of the bilateral meeting read, “The two leaders expressed a desire to expand bilateral trade using local currencies. They noted that the Reserve Bank of India has cleared the way for trade using local currencies i.e. Indian Rupee and Tanzanian Shilling by allowing the authorized banks in India to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVA) of correspondent banks of Tanzania and that transactions using this mechanism have already materialised.”
“The two sides agreed to continue with the consultations in order to address any concerns so as to ensure sustainability of this arrangement,” it added.
“India and Tanzania are important partners of each other for mutual trade and investment. Both sides are working on an agreement to increase trade in local currencies,” PM Modi said while addressing a joint press conference with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“We will continue to explore new opportunities to realize the full potential of our economic cooperation. Tanzania is India’s largest and closest development partner in Africa,” PM Modi said.
Expressing a commitment to increase bilateral trade volumes. the two leaders agreed that both sides should harmonise trade volume data and take initiatives to further enhance bilateral trade volumes.
“The two sides expressed commitment to increase bilateral trade volumes and towards this end, directed the respective Officials to explore new areas of trade. It was further agreed that both sides should harmonise trade volume data and take initiatives to further enhance bilateral trade volumes by organizing visits of business delegations, business exhibitions and interaction with business communities,” the joint statement said.
The Tanzanian side acknowledged that India is amongst its top five investment sources, whereby 630 investment projects worth USD 3.74 billion have been registered and thus creating 60,000 new jobs. The two sides welcomed recent trends of renewed interest among Indian businesspersons for investment in Tanzania.
The two sides agreed to explore the possibility of setting up of an Investment Park in Tanzania and the Tanzanian side assured full support in this regard.
The joint statement reads, “Both sides recognised that agriculture sector cooperation remains a strong pillar in the relations whereby 98 per cent of product lines from Tanzania are imported tariff-free using India’s Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme. India remains a major destination for Tanzanian cashew nuts, pigeon peas, spices, avocado and other agricultural commodities. Both sides agreed to further revitalise cooperation in this sector.”
The Tanzanian side expressed interest to cooperate with Indian government in the field of blue economy, including tourism, maritime trade, services and infrastructure, marine scientific research, capacity in seabed mining, ocean conservation and maritime safety and security.
The joint statement further reads, “India and Tanzania agreed to cooperate under the framework of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable Indian Ocean Region.”
Tanzania appreciated India’s developmet partnership assistance in the areas of water, health, education, capacity building, scholarships and information and communication technology (ICT) among others.
The joint statement reads, “The two sides also expressed satisfaction on Lines of Credits (LoCs) extended by India to Tanzania that amount to over USD 1.1 billion covering fields of drinking water infrastructure, agriculture and defence.”
It further added, “It was specifically noted that Water Projects in 24 towns of Tanzania worth USD 500 Million through a Line of Credit scheme are presently being implemented. Once completed, it would provide easy access to safe drinking water to about 6 million residents of these regions.”
The Tanzanian side stated that the Indian scholarship and capacity-building program has tremendously contributed to its human resource development. India offers 450 Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scholarships for capacity building and 70 Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships for long term programmes in 2023-24.
India announced the decision to increase the number of Long term scholarships (ICCR) from 70 to 85 for the year 2023-24. As part of its commitment to the Global South, India also announced 1000 additional ITEC slots for Tanzania to be used over a five-year period in new and emergent fields like Smart Ports, Space, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Aviation Management etc.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Tanzanian President Hassan at Hyderabad House in the national capital.
In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson stated, “A new milestone in – relations. PM @narendramodi and President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania held wide-ranging talks. The two leaders reviewed various facets of – ties and discussed ways to further deepen the close and historic ties between the two countries.”
The Tanzanian President is in India at the invitation of President Draupadi Murmu. (ANI)
‘Tanzania is India’s Closest Development Partner in Africa’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the MoU exchange programme between India and Tanzania, stressed that Tanzania is the largest and the closest development partner of India in Africa, noting that today marks a historic day in India-Tanzania relations.
“Today is a historic day in the relations between India and Tanzania. Today we are turning our age-old friendship into a Strategic Partnership,” he said.
Highlighting that India and Tanzania are important partners for mutual trade and investment, PM Modi said, “Both sides are working on an agreement to increase trade in local currencies.”
Moreover, PM Modi said, “Tanzania is India’s largest and closest development partner in Africa.”
PM Modi and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan attended the MoU exchange program at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Monday.
Both the countries exchanged several MoUs including the exchange of technical agreements between the Indian Navy and the Tanzania Shipping Agency’s cooperation on sharing white shipping information; the cultural exchange program between India and Tanzania for the years 2023 to 2027; the exchange of MoU between the National Sports Council of Tanzania and the Sports Authority of India on cooperation in the field of sports.
Samia Suluhu Hassan also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and laid a wreath at Delhi’s Rajghat…reports Asian Lite News
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. who is on a state visit to India, on Monday, appreciated the excellent existing relationship between the two countries, noting that her visit will open new avenues for the political and economic development of India and Tanzania.
“I would like to express Tanzania’s appreciation for the excellent existing relationship between our two countries which has been there for decades. My expectation from this visit is going to open new avenues for political and economic development and economic cooperation that will lead to strategic partnerships of our two countries,” she said.
Samia Suluhu Hassan further highlighted that her country expects the bilateral ties founded by our forefathers to continue for decades.
“My country is expecting that our bilateral ties that were founded by our forefathers, Mahatma Gandhi are going to continue decades after decades…,” she added.
The Tanzanian President was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu welcomed President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Taking to his social media ‘X’, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, ” A ceremonial welcome for our esteemed guest. President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn and PM @narendramodi received President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
Samia Suluhu Hassan also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and laid a wreath at Delhi’s Rajghat.
Earlier on Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Samia Suluhu Hassan and thanked her for appreciating PM Modi’s initiative for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member in the G20.
In his opening remarks at the G20 Summit, PM Modi invited the African Union’s chairperson Azali Assoumani to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member. Adding the African Union as a member of G20 was among India’s key aims to achieve during the ongoing G20 summit. The move to include the African Union in the G20 grouping was proposed by PM Modi earlier this June.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan arrived in Delhi on Sunday and the Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi received her in New Delhi.
On October 10, the Tanzanian President will participate in a business and investment forum in New Delhi. She will depart from India on October 11. The MEA in a press release stated a Presidential visit from Tanzania is taking place after more than 8 years.
According to MEA, Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit will further invigorate and strengthen the “historic and friendly relations” between India and Tanzania.
On Saturday, Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Yusuf Makamba said that during Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s India visit, the two countries will elevate their defence relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
“In this visit, we will elevate our relationships to a comprehensive strategic partnership with four pillars. One is a development corporation. Two, maritime security, three, defence corporation and four, trade investment…” the Tanzanian Foreign Affairs Minister told ANI. (ANI)
Apart from defence, the two leaders also discussed maritime cooperation and capacity building…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the President of Tanzania Samia Hassan on Saturday and discussed ties in defence and security.
The External Affairs Minister also conveyed the personal greeting of President Droupadi Murmu to her. “Honoured to call on President Samia Hassan of Tanzania. Conveyed the personal greetings of President @rashtrapatibhvn and PM @narendramodi. Thank her for the warm sentiments expressed about our development activities,” Jaishankar tweeted.
Apart from Defence, the two leaders also discussed maritime cooperation and capacity building.
“Our water partnership and ICT collaboration have already made a strong impact. The IIT campus will take our ties to new heights. Also discussed ties in defense and security, maritime cooperation and capacity building. Appreciate Tanzania’s positive view of India’s G20 presidency and Global South initiatives,” Jaishankar added.
Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Chama Cha Mapinduzi’s Vice Chairman Abdulrahman Kinana. He called it useful to share views on political cooperation while stressing on the need to strengthen exchanges between India and Tanzania.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, Jaishankar stated, “Delighted to meet again Abdulrahman Kinana, vice Chairman of @ccm_tanzania today shortly after his New Delhi visit. Useful to share views on our political cooperation and on the need to strengthen exchanges.”
Jaishankar, who is on a four-day visit to Tanzania, on Friday, took part in the regional ambassadorial conference while also inaugurating the bust of Swami Vivekananda at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre on Friday.
Comprehensive and productive meeting of the 10th India-Tanzania Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Scientific Cooperation today in Dar es Salaam. Thank my co- chair FM Dr. Stergomena Tax.
Our discussions covered various domains of cooperation including political, trade… pic.twitter.com/gCTmVFsiOC
The regional Ambassadorial conference was attended by representatives from Angola, Burundi, Congo, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Terming the conference, a “productive” one, Jaishankar said he took stock of India’s relations with the above-mentioned African countries and “underlined India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Africa and the Global South.”
The EAM also inaugurated the bust of Swami Vivekananda at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam.
In his address, the External Affairs Minister said, “It’s really a very momentous occasion today as we inaugurate a bust for one of the greatest spiritual leaders and philosophers of India, Swami Vivekananda.”
“This bust certainly stands in testimony to his kindest teachings which have transcended boundaries and actually underline his message of faith in humanity,” he added.
Earlier, Jaishankar attended the India-Tanzania business conclave, where he delivered an address highlighting the trade deal between the two countries. He also took a walk through Dar es Salaam’s famous Temple Street and experienced the local flavours there.
While co-chairing the 10th India-Tanzania Joint Commission Meeting in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, Jaishankar called the two nations “important trade partners” and added that bilateral relations have always been strong since independence.
Jaishankar said both India and Tanzania share a very robust economic engagement, by growing development cooperation, and by excellent cooperation in the multilateral forum. He said that the ties between the two countries are characterized by high-level visits. During his opening remarks at the 10th India-Tanzania Joint Commission Meeting in Dar es Salaam today, the External Affairs Minister said, “As you noted, Minister, we are very important trade partners. For us, Tanzania is the fourth-largest trade partner in Africa. It is the biggest development partner in the continent, and I am truly pleased that the current momentum is now developing into a growing ambit of cooperation, and I would like to reaffirm India’s commitment to strengthen and deepen our relations with Tanzania.”
During the joint commission meeting, emerging areas of interest were discussed and the two sides exchanged views on international issues.
“I would particularly like to mention our water partnership because we are immensely proud of the fact that in the last few years, that initiative has helped to transform the lives of millions of Tanzanians, and on this occasion, we will be taking forward a new flagship initiative, which is the first-ever global campus of the globally renowned Indian Institute of Technology, and I had the honour to witness the signature of the agreement to that effect when I was in Zanzibar,” Jaishankar said.
Further, Jaishankar also mentioned India’s ongoing G20 Presidency and added that New Delhi is pursuing its chairmanship through a process of close consultations with partners from Global South.
He said, “As many of you are aware, India has assumed the G20 presidency since December 2022. Our theme is One Earth, One Family, One Future, and that theme is very much reflected in my visit to Tanzania as well. We are pursuing our G20 presidency through a process of close consultations with our partners of the Global South, and I would like to recognize that Tanzania was one of the countries which actively participated in the Voice of the Global South Summit, which was organized by us in January 2023. We look forward to Tanzania’s continued support, not just in our G20 presidency, but in other international initiatives.”
Jaishankar underlined how, despite the challenges of COVID, the bilateral trade between India and Tanzania reached new heights. He thanked the Tanzanian Government for creating a positive, enabling environment for India’s business communities to expand their activities. (ANI)
Jaishankar informed the audience that the heart of India and Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests…reports Asian Lite News
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that Tanzania is India’s largest African partner in training and capacity building.
During an interaction with the Indian community in Dar-es-Salaam on Thursday as part of his ongoing visit to Tanzania, Jaishankar stressed on the importance of Mission IT (India & Tanzania).
He highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially India’s deep links with East Africa.
Jaishankar informed the audience that the heart of India and Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests.
He recognised that the Indian community is an expression, contributor and force of the relationship between the two nations.
Jaishankar explained how friendship between the two nations is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian.
“Our water projects will benefit 8 million people in the country,” Jaishankar said.
The Indian community had historically been a source of strength for the relationship. As our ties expand, so will their role, he added.
