President Samia Visit to New Delhi: Tanzania and India inks 15 new agreements in cooperation.

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan recently made a historical state visit to India.

The Head of State was accompanied by a delegation of 80 businesspeople and other private sector representatives during the official visit to New-Delhi.

Her itinerary in the Asian country covered for four active days between October 8 and 11, 2023.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Corporation, January Makamba, the historic state visit by the Tanzanian leader to India was undertaken in response to the invitation of India National Leaders.

“India and Tanzania enjoy excellent historical relations. Our people have interacted for as long as monsoon winds have been blowing over the Indian Ocean,” writes Mr Makamba.

As it happens India was among the first foreign countries to set up an embassy in Tanzania shortly after the country, then known as Tanganyika, gained its Independence in 1961.

On the other hand, Tanzania’s Embassy in Delhi is one of the first that the country established in 1962.

During her visit to India, President Samia addressed the joint Tanzania and India Business and Investment Forum.

The Forum was co-organized by three premier business associations in India including the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) which is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group based in India.

Others were the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM ) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

There was also the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) and the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF).

A delegation of about 80 businesspeople from Tanzania will join 130 India’s top business personalities for the Forum.

In another occasion, President Samia attended a CEO Roundtable with top 15 India’s Chief Executive Officers and business leaders for a more focused discussion on investment opportunities in key sectors in Tanzania.

The delegation from Tanzania held official bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Damodardas Modi, and the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, who also hosted a State Banquet in honour of President Samia Suluhu.

The visit will resulted in the signing of about 15 agreements on cooperation between the two countries in education, agriculture, blue economy, defense, maritime security, water, sanitation, health, ICT, trade and investment.

Apparently, India has already expressed interest to establish a sizable industrial park in the outskirts of Dar es Salaam.

At the conclusion of the visit, the two leaders made a number of important announcements on the elevation of the partnership between the two countries.