INDIA-TANZANIA BILATERAL RELATIONS

INDIA-TANZANIA BILATERAL RELATIONS

• Tanzania and India have enjoyed traditionally close, friendly and co-operative relations. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the political relationship involved shared commitments to anti-colonialism, non-alignment as well as South-South Cooperation and close cooperation in international fora. The then President of Tanzania (Mwalimu) Dr. Julius Nyerere was held in high esteem in India; he was conferred the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding for 1974, and the International Gandhi Peace Prize for 1995.
• In the post-Cold War period, India and Tanzania both initiated economic reform programmes around the same time alongside developing external relations aimed at broader international political and economic relations, developing international business linkages and inward foreign investment.
• In recent years, India-Tanzania ties have evolved into a modern and pragmatic relationship with sound political understanding, diversified economic engagement, people to people contacts in the field of education & healthcare, and development partnership in capacity building training, concessional credit lines and grant projects. The High Commission of India in Dar es Salaam has been operating since November 19, 1961 and the Consulate General of India in Zanzibar was set up on October 23, 1974.
• Bilateral relations has been elevated to Strategic Partnership during the State Visit of President of Tanzania Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to India (8-11 October 2023).

Political Relations:

Periodic high-level visits between the two countries have been an important feature of sound political ties, understanding and appreciation over the last fifty years.

• VVIP visits from India: President Mr. V.V. Giri in 1972, Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi (1976 & 1980), Prime Minister Mr. Rajiv Gandhi (1986), President Mr. R. Venkataraman (1989), Prime Minister Mr. I.K. Gujral (1997), President Mr. APJ Abdul Kalam (2004), Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh (2011), Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on 9-10 July 2016.
• VVIP visits from Tanzania- President Julius Nyerere (1971, 1976, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985), Prime Minister Edward M. Sokoine (1980), President Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1989 & 1993), President Benjamin William Mkapa (2002), President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (2008 & 2015), Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda (2009), Vice President Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal (2015), President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan (8-11 October 2023).

Recent visits: 

• Dy NSA Shri Vikra Misri visited Tanzania from 1-3 May 2022 and held meetings with Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Chief of Staff of Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces in Dar es Salaam.
• 2nd Foreign Office Consultation at Joint Secretary level took place on 16 June 2022 in New Delhi. 
• EAM met Foreign Minister of Tanzania on the sidelines of CHOGM in Kigali on 24 June 2022.
• Minister of Water of Tanzania Mr. Jumaa Aweso participated in 17th CII Exim Bank Conclave in New Delhi on 19-20 July 2022.
• Defence Minister of Tanzania Dr. Stergomena Tax visited India from 25-27 August 2022.
• Deputy Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs of Tanzania visited New Delhi on 27 September 2022.
• Secretary (ER), Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Dammu Ravi visited Tanzania on 6-7 October 2022.
• Deputy Minister of Water of Tanzania Ms. Maryprisca Winfred Mahundi participated in the 7th India Water Week from 1-5 November 2022.
• Minister of Education and Vocational Training of Zanzibar, Ms. Lela Muhamed Mussa visited India from 21-25 November 2022 to attend UNESCO India-Africa Hackathon in Noida. She also visited IIT Chennai and held bilateral meeting with Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
• Minister of Minerals of Tanzania Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko visited India from 13-17 December 2022. 
• Minister of State for Public Service Management and Good Governance of Tanzania Ms. Jenista Mhagama visited India from 3-7 January 2023.
• Speaker Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla led a parliamentary delegation to Tanzania from 18-19 January 2023. 
• Energy Minister of Tanzania Mr. January Yusuf Makamba led a technical team from Ministry of Energy to attend India Energy Week in Bangalore from 6-8 February 2023.
• Defence Minister of Tanzania Mr. Innocent Bashungwa visited India from 12-15 February 2023 to attend Aero India in Bengaluru.
• Minister of Works and Transport Prof. Makame Mbarawa led a delegation of 35 MPs to India from 6-9 March 2023.
• EAM Dr. S Jaishankar visited Tanzania from 5-8 July 2023; called on the President of Tanzania Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Zanzibar Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi and met several other Cabinet Ministers including the members of India-Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Group.
• Minister of Health Ms. Ummy Mwalimu visited India from 25-30 July 2023. She met Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya on 25 July 2023.
• President of Tanzania Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan was on State visit to India from 8-11 October 2023. Bilateral relations were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership.
• MOS for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V Muraleedharan visited Tanzania from 20-21 November 2023.
• Minister of Constitutional and Legal affairs of Tanzania Dr. Pindi Chana attended 1st Regional Conference on Access to Legal Aid in New Delhi from 27-28 November 2023.
• Prof Makame Mbarawa, Minster of Transport visited India from 18-21 January 2024 to attend Wings India 2024 at Hyderabad.
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. January Makamba participated in Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024.
• A 28-member delegation from Tanzania led by Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports of Zanzibar Ms. Tabia Maulid Mwita participated in 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana from 2-18 February 2024.
• Speaker of National Assembly and IPU President, Dr. Tulia Ackson visited New Delhi, India from 19-24 July 2024. 
• Minister of Trade and Industrial Development of Zanzibar, Mr. Omar Said Shaaban and Deputy Minister of State, President Office Planning and Investment of Tanzania, Mr. Stanslaus Haroon Nyongo visited India for 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi from 20-22 August 2024.
• Deputy Minister of Water, Eng. Kudo Andrew Mathew participated in the 8th India Water Week in New Delhi from 17-20 September 2024.
• Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources of Tanzania, Dr. Pindi Chana and the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth Affairs, and Sports of Zanzibar, Ms. Tabia Maulid Mwita attended the International Gita Mahotsav in Haryana in December 2024.
• Minister for Defence & National Service of Tanzania, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax attended Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru from 10-14 February 2025. She met Rakhsa Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh on the sidelines on 10 February 2025.
• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Mashaka Biteko attended India Energy Week in New Delhi from 11-14 February 2025. He participated in the Ministerial session on "Shaping a New World Energy Order and Trade Map" on 12th February 2025. He met Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri on the sidelines on 11 February 2025
• Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth visited Tanzania from 12-15 April 2025 for inauguration of 1st edition of Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) and 3rd Defence Expo in Dar es Salaam.
• Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof. Palamagamba John Aidan Kabudi attended the first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), in Mumbai from 1-4 May 2025.
• Dr. Mohamed Mchengerwa, Health Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania participated in the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17-19 December 2025 in New Delhi and signed a MOU on cooperation in the field of traditional system of medicine and Indian Ayurveda between Ministry of Ayush, India and Ministry of Health of Tanzania on 19 December 2025.
• H.E. Mussa Azzan Zungu, Hon'ble Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania Bunge la Tanzania participated in the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi from 14 to 16 January 2026. He met Hon'ble Prime Minister, EAM & Speaker of Lok Sabha, India.
  
• Hon. Salome Wycliffe Makamba, Deputy Energy Minister of Tanzania participated in the 4th edition of India Energy Week from 27-30 January 2026.
  
• Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad co-chaired the fourth Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Tanzania in Zanzibar from 2-4 February 2026.
  
• H.E. Ms. Angella Kairuki, Hon. Minister for Communication and Information Technology participated in the Al Impact Summit in New Delhi from 19-20 February, 2026 on behalf of President of Tanzania.
  
• Hon. Dr. Ngwaru Maghembe, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation represented Tanzania at the 11th edition of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi from 5-7 March 2026.
• H.E. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation accepted the invitation of H.E. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs of India and participated in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius from 10-12 April.
• Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary of India visited Tanzania from 29 April to 01 May 2026 and co-chaired the 5th India-Tanzania Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting with Amb. Samwel William Shelukindo, Hon. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
• Institutional Mechanism: India-Tanzania relation has gained further momentum by regular institutionalized dialogues through (a) India-Tanzania Joint Commission on Economic, Technical and Scientific Cooperation; (b) Joint Trade Committee; (c) Joint Working Groups on Water; (d) JWG on Counter Terrorism; (e) Joint Defence Cooperation Committee; (f) Joint Committee on Hydrography.

 

Commercial and Economic Relations  

• India and Tanzania share a vibrant economic, commercial and business ties. India is the second largest trading partner of Tanzania with bilateral trade of USD 8.6 billion in 2024-25 (as per DGCI&S data). India is also among the top five investment sources in Tanzania and as per Tanzania Investment Centre, Indian investments in Tanzania add up to USD 4.08 billion.
• At present major Indian companies in Tanzania are Airtel (telecom); Tata Africa Holdings Ltd, Mahindra & Mahindra (tractors), Kamal Group (Steel), Kalpataru (power transmission), Tanzindia (insurance with significant share of Indian PSEs), Larsen & Toubro, Afcons, Hester Biosciences (animal vaccines), Mahashree Agro, Purandare Industries (sugar factory) etc. 
• A large number of Escorts manufactured tractors and farm equipment, TATA, Ashok Leyland and Eicher commercial vehicles can be seen in Tanzania. Tata Eicher has a presence in the urban bus market, and Sonalika and Mahindra tractors are also available in Tanzania, while Bajaj & TVS three wheelers and Boxer/TVS motorcycles are popularly operating.
• 2 Indian banks that are operating in Tanzania are Bank of Baroda and Bank of India.
• Two Indian companies – M/s Pacco Gems Limited and M/s Nazareth Investment Company Limited have obtained licenses for Graphite extraction in Tanzania.
• India’s major exports to Tanzania include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals & chemicals, motor vehicles, electrical goods, articles of iron & steel, sugar, machinery, etc. Tanzania’s major exports to India include gold dore, cashew nuts, pulses, timber, spices (mainly cloves), ores and metal scrap, gemstones, etc.

Development Partnership

   (I). Grant/Aid

• India has executed a number of projects under government grants in Tanzania since early years. Among recent ones, three IT/Communication projects have been completed: A Centre of Excellence in ICT at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology in 2011; ICT Centre at Nelson Mandela African  Institute for Science  & Technology in 2016 and the  Pan African e- Network Project at University of Dar es Salaam in 2010.
• 1st tranche of essential medicines and vaccines worth USD 1 million announced during the visit of PM Modi to Tanzania in July 2016 was handed to Ministry of Health of Tanzania in September 2018. The second tranche of essential medicines (nearly USD 1 million) was handed on 10 September 2020. Essential medicines were handed to Zanzibar in April 2022.
• Under “India for Humanity” programme, an artificial limbs (Jaipur Foot) Fitment Camp was organized by Shree Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur under a GOI grant at the Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Dar es Salaam from 6th June 2019 to 13th July 2019 during which 551 limbs to 520 Tanzanian beneficiaries were provided free of cost.
• In August 2017, over 1,30,000 NCERT Science & Mathematics text books for Secondary Public Schools in Tanzania from India were handed over to the Minister of Education, Science, Technology & Vocational Training.
• India extended support of USD 250,000 for Kagera earthquake relief in September 2016.
• India set up a radiation therapy machine ‘Bhabhatron-II’ for cancer patients at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza under Government of India grant support in July 2016. Currently over 100 cancer patients are receiving radiation therapy daily.
• Power back up system for ICT Centre gifted to Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology on 19 August 2023.
• 10 ambulances gifted to Ministry of Health of Tanzania on 4 October 2023.
• On 10 February 2026, Critical life saving equipments viz. three Cardiac monitors, two mechanical ventilators, six infusion pumps, three syringe pumps worth more than 120 million shillings (Rs. 43,45,590) were given to Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam as a humanitarian assistance by Government of India.
• On 20 April 2026, Government of India has gifted a consignment of 2.5 tonne of essential life-saving medicines and equipments worth more than 840 million Tanzanian shillings to Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as humanitarian assistance. These kind of humanitarian initiatives reflects our people-centric and compassionate approach to deeper our cooperation with Tanzania. This also reflects the spirit of diversity in our development and strategic partnership.

        (II). Line of Credit (LOC)

• India has committed over USD 1.1 billion in LOC to Tanzania for various water projects.
• LOC of USD 36.56 million for supply of trucks and other vehicles to the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force (TPDF) in 2013-14.
• LOC of USD 40 million for supply of tractors and agricultural equipment in 2013.
• LOC of USD 178.125 million has been extended for the development of water supply projects in Dar es Salaam and coastal Chalinze region; the water supply project packages from Upper Ruvu River to Dar es Salaam was completed and inaugurated by the late Tanzanian President Dr. John Pombe J. Magufuli on 21 June 2017. Works for the Chalinze package of water distribution was completed in April 2023.
• LOC of USD 268.35 million was granted for  extension of water pipeline from Lake Victoria to towns of Tabora, Igunga and Nzega in western Tanzania. The project was completed and inaugurated by late President Dr. John Magufuli on 30 January 2021. A balance of funds that remained from this project was utilized for water supply project in Tinde and Sheuli villages.
• Line of Credit Agreement of USD 500 million for water infrastructure projects in several towns in Tanzania was signed on 10 May 2018. Four Indian companies L&T, Afcons-Vijeta JV, Megha Engineering and Jindal Water Infrastructure have been selected to implement the water project. Contract signing ceremony between the Indian contractors and Ministry of Water of Tanzania was held on 6 June 2022 in Dodoma. The project is under implementation since April 2023.

        (III). Capacity building

• Tanzania is a major beneficiary of training courses allocated under India’s ITEC & ICCR capacity building programme. India offers 1000 ITEC and 85 ICCR scholarships annually to Tanzania. ITEC scholarships were first extended to Tanzania in 1972, since then over 10,000 Tanzanians have benefited from the programme. For FY 2026-27, Government of India has increased the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship slots to 135 for Tanzania from the current 85, which is the highest number in entire Africa for any country. Every year, hundreds of Tanzanian officials and professionals benefit from these fully-funded programs of Government of India.

      IIT Madras Zanzibar campus : 1st offshore campus of IIT Madras was inaugurated in Zanzibar on 6 November 2023. The campus currently offers diverse full-time degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Data Science & AI (DSAI) and Chemical Process Engineering (CPE), and a Master of Technology (MTech) in DSAI and Ocean Structures (OS). The first batch of Masters has graduated in 2025 with 100% placement/PhD admissions to other universities. As a result, IITMZ now hosts over 130+ full-time students, representing a diverse cohort from Zanzibar, mainland Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and India. This student body is notably inclusive, with 50% of the students being African and over 30% being women. As part of faculty development program for IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, 36 Tanzanian students have been enrolled in Masters and PhD courses at IIT Madras, Chennai and 07 Tanzanian students have been enrolled in other reputed IITs in India under ICCR scholarship since 2023.

Defence & Security Cooperation

• India and Tanzania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Co-operation in Oct 2003. The MoU provides an over-arching frame-work for progressing various defence co-operation initiatives between the two countries. In recent years, India and Tanzania have been cooperating in the field of defence training in Indian institutions. Tanzanian defence personnel have been trained in India. An Indian Military Training Team (IMTT) has been deployed at Command and Staff College, Arusha since December 2017.  1st India-Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting was held in New Delhi on 15 January 2021 while the 2nd JDCC was held on 28-29 June 2023 in Arusha, Tanzania during which 5-year road map for defence cooperation was signed. 3rd JDCC was held in Goa on 26 November 2024.
• Hydrography is another advancing area of cooperation between the two countries. Indian naval survey ships have conducted hydrographic surveys of Tanzanian ports and prepared navigational charts. 100 copies of 6 navigational charts and 7 ENCs prepared by India were handed over to Tanzanian officials during the state visit of PM Modi in July 2016.
• High Commission of India organised a DefExpo on 30th May 2022 in Dar es Salaam in association with Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence & Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM). 16 companies (7 Defence Public Sector Undertaking & 9 private companies) participated. 2nd Defexpo was held in Dar es Salaam on 2nd October 2023 with participation of 19 Indian defence companies. 3rd Defexpo was held in Dar es Salaam on 13 April 2025 with participation of 22 Indian defence companies.
• IN Ship Tarkash visited Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from 26-29 October 2022. During the visit it participated in bilateral Maritime Partnership Exercise with Tanzania and 1st trilateral exercise involving India-Tanzania-Mozambique. INS Trishul visited Tanzania from 5-9 July 2023; joint surveillance of Tanzanian EEZ along with Maritime Partnership Exercises were conducted. Coast Guard Ship, ICGS Varaha visited Zanzibar from 23-26 February 2024. INS Tir and ICGS Sarathi visited Zanzibar from 22-24 March 2024. Second India-Mozambique-Tanzania trilateral maritime exercise was conducted in March 2024. INS Suvarna visited Dar es Salaam, from 19 - 21 October 2024. During the reception onboard INS Suvarna, the Infantry Weapon Training Simulator gifted by the Government of India was handed to the Tanzania Peoples Defence Forces. The Indian naval ships also participated in EEZ surveillance of Tanzania along with Tanzanian navy.
• 3 Indian Naval ships INS Chennai, INS Kesari and IOS Sagar participated in the 1st edition of Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) from 13-18 April 2025. The AIKEYME was co-hosted by India and Tanzania and had total 10 participants including India and 09 countries from Eastern and South African Region (Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa).
• Recently, Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad co-chaired the fourth Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Tanzania in Zanzibar from 2-4 February 2026. The discussions focused on military training, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and exploring new areas such as peacekeeping, electronic warfare, cyber, and AI training to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
  
• INS Trikand visited Dar es Salaam from 3 to 6 April 2026 for reinforcing maritime ties between India and Tanzania. During the visit, the ship’s crew conducted joint exercises with the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) Navy in VBSS, bridgemanship, seamanship, tactical maneuvers, VERTREP, and damage control. High Commissioner Mr. Bishwadip Dey and Captain Sachin Kulkarni, Commanding Officer of INS Trikand, met Rear Admiral AR Hassan (TPDF Navy Commander) on 4 April, followed by a deck reception. The visit underscored India’s commitment to the MAHASAGAR vision of mutual maritime security and cooperation.

Culture  

• Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Dar es Salaam under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), coordinates cultural outreach since its establishment in December 2010. SVCC offers classes in Yoga, vocal music, tabla and Hindi language by Indian teachers. There is regular cultural outreach through performances by Indian arts groups in various towns of Tanzania, Yoga and AYUSH interactions, exhibitions and cooperation with educational institutions. ICCR regularly sends Indian cultural troops for performances in Tanzania and sponsors Tanzanian cultural troupes to perform at Surajkund Crafts Mela in Faridabad every year. Tanzania participated as the partner country at 37th Surajkund Mela. A 28-member delegation led by Minister of Culture of Zanzibar, Ms. Tabia Maulid Mwita attended the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana. To celebrate historic India-Tanzania relations, the High Commission in collaboration with the National Museum of Tanzania  curated a special “India-Tanzania Friendship Exhibition” which was inaugurated at the National Museum of Tanzania on 26 January 2024 by the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ms. Angellah Kairuki. High Commission in collaboration with the National Museum of Tanzania organized a seminar on “contribution of Indian diaspora in developmental journey of Tanzania and shaping India-Tanzania relations” on 7 March 2024. Tanzania was the partner country at International Gita Mahotsav-2024 held in Kurukshetra, Haryana from 28 November to 15 December 2024.

Indian Diaspora

• Tanzania is home to about 40,000 people of Indian origin which are concentrated in the major urban centres of Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza, Dodoma, Morogoro, Zanzibar, and Mbeya. The vast majority are from Gujarat, mainly from Kutch and Kathiawad regions whose ancestors came to this region [Zanzibar and Tanganyika] in several phases starting from early 19th century as merchants, sailors and workers. The Indian origin community is active in the field of trade and industry in Tanzania. There are about 15,000-20,000 Indian nationals [expatriates] mostly professionals, who live and work in Tanzania, mainly in industry and services.
• 4 PIOs from Tanzania Mr. Jayantilal Keshavji Chande (2005), Dr. Rajni Kanabar (2010), Ms. Hajiat Shamim Parkar Khan (2019) and Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya (2025) have received Pravasi Bharatiya Samman.
• There are about twenty Indian/Asian community organizations active in Tanzania. These groups regularly organize Indian festivals and social events mostly with local participation and occasionally by inviting performing artistes from India. Indian community have managed to retain their cultural identity and celebrate all Indian festivals.

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As on 06 May 2026




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