Dr Jaishankar in Tanzania – Fostering Ties with The African Subcontinent in the Era of Multilateralism

During his 4-day visit to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar addressed the Indian Community in Tanzania and had a lively interaction with the members of the Indian Community during his official visit.

While Addressing the Indian Community, Dr S Jaishankar stressed the importance of Mission IT (India and Tanzania) as in India- Tanzania Mission.” Sharing the purpose of his visit, Dr S Jaishankar stated “That IT (India – Tanzania) mission goes on address some of the most important priorities of both the countries in the present era. Apart from the Mission IT (India-Tanzania) mission, the EAM (External Affairs Minister) also highlights the strong relationship, especially the strong India- Africa Connection that India Holds and the deep links that India shares with the African Subcontinent, especially East Africa.

He stated that “We have a strong relationship with Africa, a product that partly comes as a result of the shared history due to colonialism and the struggle for freedom during the colonial period, but within that, we have a particularly close relationship with East Africa and within some parts of India are particularly closely linked”. He also noted that at the heart of the close ties between both India and Tanzania lies the solidarity in the spirits of Mutual cooperation and Interests that continue to serve both countries well. He said, “All of the members of the Indian community Living in Tanzania working in Tanzania and visiting Tanzania, I think you can hold your head high that our friendships and our partnership today will make and continue to make a difference in the everyday life of Tanzanian.”

Weighing on the old relationship that India holds with most African countries, East Africa and Tanzania in particular, Dr S Jaishankar said that the heart of any relationship can be due to the solidarity of the spirit and the outlook that both the countries had for years. Over the years we did start to express those feelings in different forums. In fact, we have the Global South today we are trying to bring and develop countries who tried to work together for a fairer Global Order.

Dr S Jaishankar remarked while have seen regular high-level meetings including that of Prime Minister Modi it helped us deepen not just the relationship between the 2 nations but also help broaden deep people – people contact regarding the economic ties.

Despite the disruptions, the Covid-19 challenges and the High intensity of trade the African Countries have with China with regard to the Belt and Road Initiative and dexterity of the Loans for welfare and development, India – Tanzania ties bilateral growth has seen strong growth as the Indian figures put the Bilateral trade around USD 6 Billion in 2020, 2022 and 2023.

In fact, India continues to be one of the primary markets for Tanzanian exports. Dr S Jaishankar remarked that once there were around 700 Indian businessmen who came to Tanzania and helped promote bilateral trade and investment adding that Indian investment in Tanzania is actually growing in a wide range and variety of domains.

The EAM said that over the years with regard to investments we have seen investments in Hospitals, Pharma, animal vaccines, education, mining, Agro-processing and much more. He also stated that if both of the countries continue to remain committed as it now then perhaps in the future we might see an Indian Industrial Park in Tanzania in the near future and the days are not far from such an occurrence.

The EAM stated that the Indo-Tanzanian relationship is definitely making a difference in the lives of an average Tanzanian and that India’s water projects in the African Subcontinent are effectively built in a manner to help the African people and will help 8 million people in the region.

With 750 slots the EAM, remarked that Tanzania is one of India’s Largest African partners in training and capacity building. He also remarked that in the current year, the Indian Government is giving the Tanzanian Government the usage of 450 scholarships for Tanzanian students under the I Tech program. Since it is one of India’s traditional exchange programs, 230 slots will be available for defence training and under the educational sector, 70 sectors will be kept open for the Tanzanian students.

Dr S Jaishankar believes that the Indian community has been historically a source of strength and mutual relationship between both countries and also visited the stone town in Zanzibar to experience the distinctive Gujarati connection with Tanzania.

The EAM also visited the Kiduthani project which provides drinking water and is the source of livelihood to around 30,000 households. All of these 6 projects that India is involved in will give access to drinking water to at least 6 million people. He also attended a deck reception onboard INS Trishul with the Zanzibar president Hussein Ali Mwinyi and witnessed the signing of the agreement that will allow the setting up of the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus.

_{(Ashish is pursuing a post-graduation in International Relations. His areas of interest include defence, strategic cooperation, International affairs, Intelligence – Counter intelligence & Analytical Investigation. Opinions expressed are the author’s own)}

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