'Tanzania-India bilateral ties grow stronger'

Dar es Salaam. The minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Angellah Kairuki, has said that Tanzania and India have cultivated a robust relationship with mutual economic benefits and a well-founded partnership focused on capacity building.

Speaking at the official opening of the joint Tanzania-India friendship exhibition at the National Museum of Tanzania on Friday, Ms Kairuki said Tanzania benefits from the relationship through training opportunities for its people and markets for agricultural produce.

The exhibition was organised to mark the 75th India Republic Day.

"Tanzania's ties with India have deep historical roots spanning several centuries, characterized by extensive trade and cultural exchanges. This historical connection played a pivotal role in the establishment of Swahili settlements along the East African coast," she said.

She noted that the Indian community has actively participated in various philanthropic initiatives, contributing to the construction of schools, health centres, hospitals, and financial institutions.

"As an example, the inaugural multiracial school in East Africa, Mwambao Primary School, and a contemporary hospital in Bagamoyo were both constructed by an Indian merchant named Sewa Haji. Subsequently, in 1889, these notable establishments were generously donated to the German colonial administration.

The Hindu Mandal Hospital, Agha Khan and Buruan Hospitals in Dar es Salaam, the Almutanzil School, Kisutu Secondary School, among others," she said.

The chargé d'affaires of the High Commission of India, Mr Manoj Verma, remarked that the celebrations marking the 75th year of the Republic of India represent a historic milestone.

In delivering President Droupadi Murmu's speech, Droupadi Murmu, Mr Verma said economic growth has remained high in both nations in recent years.

"There have been equally significant achievements in the India-Tanzania bilateral relationship," he said.

He said bilateral trade is accelerating exponentially, and Tanzania is set to emerge as India's third-largest trade partner in Africa in 2023/24.

Ms Kairuki added that the Tanzania-India diplomatic relationship recently received a boost with the state visit of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to India in October 2023 and high-level exchanges between the two countries.

"With this joint exhibition, Tanzanians and Indians are making a significant statement, underscoring the enduring strength of their longstanding positive relationship," she said.