HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA
DAR ES SALAAM
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 Rajiv Gandhi (1986), President R. Venkataraman (1989), Prime Minister Mr. I.K. Gujral (1997), President Mr. APJ Abdul Kalam (2004), Prime Minister 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 Mr. Vikram 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Strategic Partnership.
MOS for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Mr. 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.
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 7.9 billion in 2023-24 (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 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.
3 Indian banks that are operating in Tanzania are Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, and Canara Bank.
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.
(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.
LOC of USD 92.18 million for rehabilitation and improvement of water supply system in Zanzibar. This project is complete and a part of the project has already been inaugurated in January 2024.
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 scholarships. India offers 650 ITEC and 85 ICCR scholarships annually to Tanzania. ITEC scholarships were first extended to Tanzania in 1972, since then over 5000 Tanzanians have benefited from the programme.
IIT Madras Zanzibar campus : 1st offshore campus of IIT Madras was inaugurated in Zanzibar on 6 November 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.
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.
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.
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 sponsor Tanzanian cultural troupes to perform at Surajkund Crafts Mela in Faridabad every year. This year, at 37th Surajkund Mela, Tanzania participated as the partner country. A 28-member delegation led by Minister of Culture of Zanzibar, Tabia Maulid Mwita attended the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in Haryana. To celebrate historic India-Tanzania relations, High Commission in collaboration with National Museum of Tanzania has curated a special India-Tanzania Friendship Exhibition at National Museum of Tanzania. The exhibition which was inaugurated on 26 January 2024 would be on display until January 2025. HCI in collaboration with 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.
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.
3 PIOs from Tanzania Mr. Jayantilal Keshavji Chande (2005), Dr. Rajni Kanabar (2010) and Ms. Hajiat Shamim Parkar Khan (2019) 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 6 August 2024
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