India and Tanzania have announced the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The move is aimed at strengthening cooperation across various sectors, including maritime security, defence, development partnership, trade, and investment. Both countries emphasized the significance of their maritime proximity, pledging to enhance collaboration in maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. This development underscores the growing level of political engagement and strategic dialogue between India and Tanzania on regional and global issues. The leaders also discussed shared visions for the Indo-Pacific and highlighted the importance of cooperative efforts in the maritime domain. Additionally, both nations expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the defence industry and acknowledged successful joint exercises and initiatives in maritime security. The establishment of the first overseas campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras in Zanzibar was also noted as a significant milestone. The leaders believe that IIT in Zanzibar has the potential to become a premier centre for technical education in Africa. This elevation of bilateral ties is expected to pave the way for deeper collaboration and mutual benefits in various strategic areas.
