Strengthening Ties: India and Tanzania Collaborate on Defence Initiatives
Defence Cooperation Between India and Tanzania
New Delhi: On April 14, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth engaged in discussions with Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Tanzania's Minister of Defence and National Service, in Dar es Salaam. The focus was on enhancing bilateral relations and collaboration in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts.
The meeting also included a visit to Vice President Philip Isdor Mpango, as reported by the Indian Ministry of Defence.
During their discussions, Seth and Tax reviewed existing defence partnerships and explored new avenues for cooperation. Key topics included the training of Tanzanian military personnel in Indian military academies, collaboration in the defence sector, and initiatives in cyber security.
On April 13, the two officials inaugurated the harbour phase of the inaugural Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) naval exercise aboard INS Chennai in Dar es Salaam, alongside a Defence Expo.
In his speech, Seth emphasized the importance of unity in addressing maritime challenges to secure a peaceful and prosperous future.
This naval exercise, co-hosted by India and Tanzania, also sees participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
Seth updated Vice President Mpango on the AIKEYME cooperation, Indian defence industry contributions, and the Defence Expo during their meeting.
He expressed India's commitment to meeting the defence needs of the Tanzania People's Defence Force and discussed broader topics such as development partnerships, cultural ties, and cooperation in health and education.
The exercise symbolizes the commitment of the involved nations to maintaining a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean, marking a significant step in the evolving relationship between India and Africa, according to the Indian defence ministry.
On April 14, Seth also visited the Sanatan Dharma and Swaminarayan Mandir before engaging with the Indian community.
He participated in Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations at the High Commission of India in Tanzania, where he highlighted India's recent advancements and acknowledged the Indian diaspora's contributions to both India and Tanzania.