India-Tanzania defence ties: Advancing strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean region

The meeting highlighted mutual commitments to deepen ties, enhance maritime collaboration, and foster cooperation across defence services and industries
MR Amitabh Prasad (right), Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, meets Major General Fadhil Nondo, Commander of the Tanzania Land Forces, during the 3rd Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting held recently in Goa, India

TANZANIA: THE third India-Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting, held in Goa on Tuesday, marked another step forward in strengthening bilateral defence relations.

The meeting highlighted mutual commitments to deepen ties, enhance maritime collaboration, and foster cooperation across defence services and industries.

The Indian delegation, led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. Also present was India’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Bishwadip Dey.

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The Tanzanian delegation was headed by Land Forces Commander Maj Gen Fadhil Omary Nondo.

Key outcomes of JDCC meeting

The JDCC serves as a critical platform for both nations to review progress on earlier agreements and identify new areas for cooperation.

Discussions at this year’s meeting revolved around: Training Partnerships: India and Tanzania agreed to expand training programmes, building on their existing capacity-building initiatives.

Service-to-Service Collaboration: Enhanced cooperation between the armed forces of the two nations was emphasized, aimed at fostering better coordination and interoperability.

Maritime Security and Collaboration: Given both nations’ strategic interest in the Indian Ocean, maritime security remained a highpriority agenda. The meeting focused on deepening ties in naval operations and hydrographic cooperation.

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Defence Industry Partnerships: With India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities, the meeting explored avenues for collaboration in defence production, technology transfer, and joint ventures.

As part of the JDCC engagements, the Tanzanian delegation is scheduled to visit several key defence facilities in Goa: Goa Shipyard Ltd: The delegation will gain insights into India’s expertise in shipbuilding and port development, reinforcing the potential for collaboration in maritime infrastructure.

INS Hansa: India’s naval aviation base will provide the Tanzanian officials with a closer look at operational capabilities and technological advancements in maritime defence.

National Institute of Hydrography: The visit to this premier hydrography institution will showcase India’s capabilities in maritime cartography, a crucial aspect of safe and efficient navigation in the Indian Ocean.

Roadmap for defence cooperation

Last year in October, India and Tanzania upgraded their relationship to the level of a ‘Strategic Partnership.’

They outlined a five-year roadmap to guide their defence collaboration. This roadmap underscores shared objectives in capacity building, technology sharing, and joint initiatives.

India and Tanzania have long shared warm and friendly relations, bolstered by cultural ties and mutual support on global platforms.

Defence cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone of this relationship, with India playing a pivotal role in training Tanzanian armed forces and contributing to its capacity-building efforts.

Tanzania, as a key partner in East Africa, offers strategic importance for India in its outreach to the African continent. Enhanced defence ties are expected to not only strengthen bilateral relations but also contribute to regional stability and security, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.

As both nations look ahead, the shared commitment to mutual growth and regional stability will undoubtedly strengthen their bond in the years to come.

In July 2023, India and Tanzania held their first Joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance exercise, when the Indian Naval Ship Trishul visited Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam.

Earlier, the navies of the two countries held a bilateral maritime exercise in October 2022 during the visit of the Indian Naval Ship Tarkash.

Building on previous achievements

The Goa meeting reviewed the progress achieved through the previous JDCCs.

Initiatives such as the training of Tanzanian personnel in Indian military institutions and technical support in defence systems were noted as significant milestones. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the results and resolved to expand these programmes.

The Third JDCC is in line with India’s broader strategic vision of enhancing SouthSouth cooperation and ensuring security in the Indian Ocean Region.

For Tanzania, this collaboration represents an opportunity to modernize its armed forces and benefit from India’s experience and capabilities in defence technology and maritime operations.

As the Tanzanian delegation concludes its visit to Goa, both nations remain committed to translating the outcomes of the JDCC meeting into actionable initiatives.

The partnership aims to not only enhance bilateral de