Samia: India strategic ally

• University to honour her honorary doctorate

INDIA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan on Sunday began a four-day visit to India to bolster bilateral relations at the invitation of her counterpart and host, Droupadi Murmu.

On her arrival, she was welcomed with a traditional folk dance performance at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Welcoming her, India’s Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that it is President Samia’s first visit to India after assuming office.

Ministry of External Affairs in a press release stated, “During her stay in New Delhi, President Samia will meet with the President. She will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan and thereafter will hold a detailed bilateral dialogue with Prime Minister. A state banquet will also be hosted by President in the honor of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.”

Tomorrow, Tanzanian President will participate in a business and investment forum in New Delhi. She will depart from India on Wednesday.

Commenting on the trip, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Yusuf Makamba said that her visit is a testimony of  the two countries elevating their defence relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

“In this visit, we will elevate our relationships to a comprehensive strategic partnership with four pillars. One is a development cooperation. Two, maritime security, three, defence cooperation and four, trade investment…” the Tanzanian Foreign Affairs Minister said.

During her visit, she will participate in the wreath-laying ceremony to be held at the Rajghat and also hold a detailed bilateral dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thereafter meet President Droupadi Murmu and on Tuesday, she will participate in a business and investment forum.

In a related development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, one of India’s foremost educational institutions, is set to bestow an honorary doctorate degree upon Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her official diplomatic visit to the country.

The decision to honour President Samia with this prestigious recognition comes as a testament to her remarkable efforts in strengthening bilateral relations between Tanzania and India.

According to Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, President Samia’s exceptional role in advancing diplomatic ties has been a key factor in this decision.

Tanzania and India enjoy long-standing historical friendship and brotherhood, built upon a solid bond of cooperation. With President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s State visit to India from 8-11 October 2023, our growing ties will be elevated to greater heights, linking our historical past, geographical positions as well as the strategic direction of our current foreign policies.

Tanzania’s relations with India date centuries ago, when trade between the people of Swahili Coast (including Zanzibar and Tanganyika) and Mandovi River Coast of Gujarat was documented.

The period witnessed the arrival of Indian traders, mostly from coastal Gujarat on the shores of Zanzibar and then to mainland Tanzania. Through the famous seasonal Monsoon Winds, traders and sailors from Europe passing through Africa could count on this dependable wind to carry out a round-trip along the Indian Ocean annually.

The discovery of the Monsoon Winds paved the way for the Monsoon Trade System to boom. Arguably the oldest trade route system, it gathered an Indian Ocean Network of merchants using dhows, travelling from various places in Africa (including modern-day Tanzania), Persia, India and Southeast Asia.

For our two countries, as the network grew strong, the interaction between the people of the Swahili Coast and their Indian counterparts grew even more robust. As a result, people-to-people relations emerged, giving a solid foundation for government-to-government ties.

With the establishment of Diplomatic Missions in Tanganyika and India in 1961 and 1962, respectively, our relations flourished. Today, Tanzania and India continue to enjoy cordial and friendly diplomatic relations built upon our shared desire to deepen economic, political, cultural and social engagements that started centuries ago.