Strengthening bonds: India and Tanzania forge deeper ties across spheres

Throughout history, India and Tanzania have shared a profound connection woven through traditions, trade, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. This enduring link, rooted in their historical trade relations across the Indian Ocean and united resistance against colonialism, has evolved into a strong contemporary partnership.

A pivotal role is played by the dynamic Indian diaspora in Tanzania, acting as a living bridge between the two nations. This relationship has taken on new dimensions, with recent times witnessing intensified engagement across a spectrum of endeavours.

At the forefront of this burgeoning partnership lies an elevated level of political cooperation, characterized by a sequence of high-profile visits by distinguished delegates from both nations. In a significant stride, India’s External Affairs Minister, H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar, embarked on a visit to Tanzania in July 2023. During this landmark visit, alongside President of Zanzibar, H.E. Dr. Mwinyi, he bore witness to the monumental signing of an MoU that paved the way for the establishment of the IITM Zanzibar campus.

The 10th Joint Commission Meeting on Economic, Technological, and Scientific Cooperation, held in Dar es Salaam, emerged as another pivotal moment. Co-chaired by H.E. Dr. S. Jaishankar and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Stergomena Tax, this gathering underscored the extensive spectrum of discussions that encompass the shared goals of the two nations.

Further accentuating the deepening ties was the notable visit of a parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha, H.E. Shri Om Birla, to Tanzania in January 2023. This visit, orchestrated at the invitation of the Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, bore testimony to the multidimensional nature of the engagement between the two countries.

Tanzania’s representation has been equally remarkable, characterized by high-ranking officials undertaking impactful visits to India. Notably, in February 2023, Tanzanian Defence Minister H.E. Innocent Bashungwa actively participated in Aero India in Bengaluru, engaging in pivotal bilateral discussions with India’s Defence Minister H.E. Shri Rajnath Singh.

Further reinforcing ties, Minister for Energy H.E. January Yusuf Makamba led a technical team from the Ministry of Energy to attend India Energy Week in Bengaluru. In December 2022, Minister of Minerals of Tanzania H.E. Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko visited India, holding discussions with the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines of India.

Demonstrating the multifaceted nature of this relationship, Minister of Works and Transport Prof. Makame Mbarawa led a delegation of 35 MPs to India in March 2023, visiting the port in Mundra. Last month, Minister of Health H.E. Ummy Mwalimu visited India and met with Minister of Health & Family Welfare H.E. Mansukh Mandaviya to strengthen cooperation in the health sector

Economic ties between India and Tanzania have flourished, with bilateral trade surpassing the $6.4 billion mark. India remains the Tanzania’s largest export market primarily supported by India’s unilateral Duty Free Tariff preference scheme under which 98% of Tanzanian products enjoy duty free status in India.

This is well illustrated by the swift dominance achieved by Tanzanian avocados in the Indian market. Simultaneously, Indian investments in Tanzania have surged past the $3.7 billion mark. Tanzania being one of the fastest growing economies in Africa with a stable business climate, several Indian companies have shown interest in expanding their investment across fields like agriculture, vehicle assembly etc.

In the realm of developmental collaboration, Tanzania stands as India’s foremost partner in Africa, with initiatives exceeding US$1.1 billion under the Indian Line of Credit. Notably, a substantial undertaking involves the commencement of execution of US$500 million water supply projects across 24 Tanzanian towns since April 2023.

This transformational endeavour is projected to enhance the lives of more than 6 million ordinary Tanzanians in their daily routines. Noteworthy milestones include the inauguration of the water supply project in Tinde by Vice President H.E. Dr. Philip Mpango in January 2023, followed by the successful completion of the Chalinze water distribution project in April 2023.

Tanzania has emerged as the cornerstone of India’s expansive knowledge partnership with Africa, magnificently symbolized by the establishment of the first offshore campus of the prestigious IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) in Zanzibar. Notably, admissions for BS and M.Tech programs at IITM Zanzibar in the realm of Data Science & Artificial Intelligence for the academic session commencing in October 2023 have already been set in motion. This premier institution has solidified partnerships with esteemed international institutions, including the University of Birmingham (UK) and Deakin University (Australia), signifying its commitment to excellence. Envisioned as a magnet for the finest engineering talents in Africa, the trajectory of IITM Zanzibar is poised to evolve into a beacon of technology and innovation, seamlessly nurturing the ascendancy of the African continent.

At the heart of India-Tanzania relations lies an enduring cultural exchange nurtured by people-to-people interactions spanning centuries. The presence of a vibrant Indian diaspora enriches this exchange, ensuring the fusion of Indian and Tanzanian cultures. The celebration of the International Day of Yoga in June 2023, drawing participation from over 2000 yoga enthusiasts across eight Tanzanian cities – Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Tanga, Lindi, Tabora, Arusha, Mwanza and Iringa, is a testament to this cultural affinity. Further solidifying this cultural exchange, a remarkable event took place in February 2023. The ‘Dar Creators,’ a 12-member artist troupe from Tanzania, participated in the 36th Surajkund Mela in Haryana, India. Their captivating performances garnered widespread acclaim from the Indian populace, serving as a poignant expression of the deep friendship and mutual appreciation shared between the people of India and Tanzania. Celebrating the historical bonds, a 2-day International Conference was organized in Dar es Salaam on “India-Tanzania Relations” in collaboration with Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) Kolkata and National Museum of Tanzania from 30th September to 1st October 2022.

Undoubtedly, India and Tanzania have cultivated a relationship of trust and cooperation. With shared historical bonds and the emergence of both countries as influential economies in Asia and Africa, the potential for mutually beneficial collaboration is vast. As the two nations move forward, the trajectory of their relationship promises to soar to new heights.