Tanzania and India have traditionally enjoyed close, friendly and co- operative relations. From the 1960s to the 1980s the political relationship was driven largely by shared ideological commitments to anti-colonialism, anti-racism, socialism in various forms as well as genuine desire for South-South Cooperation. In recent years Indo-Tanzanian ties have evolved into a modern and pragmatic relationship with greater and diversified economic engagement and development partnership with India offering Tanzania more capacity building training opportunities, Concessional LOCs and grants.
The High Commission of India in Dar es Salaam was set up on November 19, 1961 and the Consulate General of India in Zanzibar was set up on October 23, 1974.
High-Level Visits
The two countries have enjoyed a tradition of high level exchanges. In the post-Neyerere period, the following high level visits have taken place:
Visits from India :-
Shri I.K. Gujral, Prime Minister 18-19 September, 1997 Shri APJ Abdul Kalam, President 11-13 September 2004 Shri Yashwant Sinha, EAM 6th JCM, 25-28 April 2003 Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of State for 27-30 August 2008 for inauguration External Affairs of the 10th Regional Conclave on India-Africa Project partnership. Smt. Meira Kumar, Speaker, Lok Sabha 28 September to 6 October, 2009 to attend the 55th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas 29-31 January 2010 Indian Affairs Shri Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of 26-28 May, 2011 Late Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister of 7-10 December, 2011 to participate Science & Technology and Earth Sciences in the Celebrations to mark 50 years of Tanzania Mainland’s Independence Shri Beni Prasad Verma, Minister of Steel 5-7 April, 2013 to hold bilateral talks with Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Smt. Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for 8-10 July for bilateral talks and to Co- External Affairs Chair the 8th session of the India- Tanzania JCM. Dr D Purandeswari, MOS for Commerce 24-26 September 2013 to co-chair and Industry the 3rd meeting of Indo-Tanzania JTC. She also inaugurated ‘The India Show’ organized by CII.
Visits from Tanzania :-
Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, then Minister May 2001 for the Joint Commission for Foreign Affairs meeting President Benjamin William Mkapa 15-21 December 2002 Mr. Amani Abeid Karume, President of 7-12 March 2004 Zanzibar Ms. Asha Rose Mgiro, Foreign Minister 7-12 March 2004 Muhammed Seef Khatib, Minister for Satyagraha conference in January Information and Culture 2007 Mr. Basil Mramba, Minister for Industry and Joint Trade Committee Meeting in May Trade 2007 Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, Vice President; 18-24 March 2008 Minister for Health, Minister for Industry Trade and Marketing, MOS in the President’s office and Dy. Foreign Minister. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete April 2008 to co-chair the India-Africa Forum Summit Prof. David H. Mwakyusa, Minister for January 2009 to co-Chair the 7th Health and Family Welfare Session of Joint Commission meeting in New Delhi. Mr. Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda, Prime 13-17 September, 2009 Minister accompanied by Tanzanian Minister for Agriculture, and Zanzibar Minister for Agriculture Mr. William Ngeleja Minister for Energy and 7-9 December 2009 to attend the 2nd Minerals. India-Africa Hydro Carbon Conference in New Delhi organized by FICCI. Mr. Samuel John Sitta, Speaker of Bunge 4-9 January, 2010 to attend the 20th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers. Dr. Mary Nagu, Minister for Investment and 27-29 March, 2011to attend the 7th CII Empowerment Exim Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership Mr. Mustafa H. Mkulo, Minister for Finance To sign the Agreement on 28th March, and Economic Affairs 2011 for the GOI-supported Exim Bank LOC of US$ 36.56 million on the sidelines of the 7th CII Exim Bank Conclave. Hon’ble Prof. Makame Mbarawa, Minister of 11-13 October 2011 to attend the Communication Science and Technology second India Africa Partnership Summit Mr. Samuel J. Sitta, Minister for East African 9-15 November, 2011 to attend the Cooperation 11th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the IORARC Mr. Mustafa H. Mkulo, Minister for Finance 18-20 March, 2012 to attend the 8th CII Exim Bank Conclave held in New Delhi Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, Minister of Defence 29 March-April 01, 2012 to attend and National Service DefExpo Ms. Anne Makinda, Speaker, National October 3-4, 2012 to attend the 7th Assembly Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament Dr. Abdallah Omari Kigoda Minister of October 29, 2012 to November 2, 2012 Industry & Trade to attend the IOR-ARC Ministerial Meeting Dr. Abdallah Omari Kigoda, Minister of 27-29 January, 2013 to attend the 19th Industry and Trade Edition of the Partnership Summit 2013 Prof. Makame Mbarawa, Minister of 17-19 March, 2013 to attend the 9th Communication Science & Technology; edition of CII-Exim Bank Conclave on Mr. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi Minister of India-Africa Partnership from at New Health and Social Welfare; Mr. Adam Delhi Malima, Dy. Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives Zanzibar Minister for Labour, Economic 28-30 May 2013 on a study visit – met Empowerment & Cooperatives Minister of Labour and Empowerment Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein, President of 1-9 February 2014 Zanzibar
Important Bilateral Treaties, Agreements
Agreement on Friendship and Technical, 28 January 1966 Economic and Scientific Cooperation Trade Agreement – 12 December, 1972 (14 January 2000): Pursuant to the agreement a Joint Trade Committee was established. Agreement on the establishment of Joint Signed on June 25, 1997. Business Council Agreement in the field of Health & Medicine Signed on 16th December, 2002 during the visit of President Benjamin William Mkapa to India Agreement on Waiving Tanzania’s Signed during the visit of President Dr. Outstanding Loans and Agreement on A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to Tanzania from Cooperation in Information Technology and 11-14 September, 2004. Services Agreement on Double Taxation and Signed during the visit of Prime Prevention of Fiscal Evasion [DTAA] Minister to Tanzania from 26-28 May, 2011.
Other Agreements
MOU for mutual cooperation between FICCI, ASSOCHAM and CII, trade bodies of India, and Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture [TCCIA] are in place.
MOU between Indian Institute of Materials Managements [IIMM] and National Board of Materials Management of Tanzania was signed in May 2006 for institutional cooperation and MOU on Cooperation between the Government of Gujarat and the Tanzania Investment Centre [TIC] was signed in Dar-es- Salaam on July 19, 2012.
Commercial and Economic Relations
India and Tanzania have a vibrant business and commercial relationship driven by the presence of a large community of Tanzanians of Indian origin. India is a leading trading and investment partner of Tanzania's as well as an important source of essential machinery and pharmaceutical products. Many of the top business establishments of Tanzania are owned by persons of Indian origin.
India has been one of Tanzania’s largest trade partner as per the figures given below. India has been the top bilateral trade partner of Tanzania, both in terms of exports and imports, in the period January-May 2014.
TRADE WITH TANZANIA India’s export to Tanzania [ million US dollars] Year 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Jan-May 1193.20 2308.71 880.63 1564.95 895.01 772.87 859.73 512.40 India’s Imports from Tanzania [Million US Dollars] Year 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Jan-May 313.81 752.17 480.10 207.99 226.19 187.58 171.82 78.65 TOTAL 1507.01 3060.88 1360.73 1772.94 1121.2 960.45 1031.55 591.05
[Source: Tanzania Revenue Authority]
Tanzania’s major imports from India include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles [including auto parts], electrical machinery/ equipment, yarn, apparel & clothing, articles of iron & steel, plastic products including synthetic polymers, inorganic/organic/agro-chemicals, rubber items including tyres, cotton fabrics, etc.
Tanzania’s major exports to India include gold, cashew nuts, pulses and lentils, timber, cloves, gemstones, leather etc.
India’s economic engagement with Tanzania has also increased with a cumulative investment of US$ 1834 million [1990-2012]. (Tanzanian investments in India are a little over US$ 1 million as per DIPP) An additional amount of US$ 497.10 million has been invested by Indian companies in Export Processing Zones in Tanzania.
Major Indian Projects, Companies and Brands in Tanzania
The Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, Ranchi, ONGC and L&T have provided their services for the development of Natural Gas sector in Tanzania in the past. The only Indian company currently active in the mineral sector in Tanzania is the National Mineral Development Corporation [NMDC]. It has been scaling up its gold mining activity since late 2012. Other major Indian companies/brands in Tanzania are:
Bank of Baroda and Bank of India with six branches in three cities of Tanzania. Tata International Limited represents the entire Tata Group in the country. Tanzindia is a major insurance company with investments from major Indian PSE insurance companies. Reliance Industries Ltd acquired a majority stake and management control of Gulf Africa Petroleum Corporation [GAPCO], and GAPCO Tanzania Ltd is the first local company to win tenders for bulk supply of petroleum products. Bharti Airtel started operations in Tanzania in 2010 with an estimated investment of US$150 million and is the second largest mobile telephone operator of the four existing in Tanzania. Syngen Fuels and Agri Products (T) Ltd have invested in cultivation of rice and other crops in Morogoro. An Aurangabad/Dubai based company, M/s. Kamal Group, with interest in a small steel mill in Tanzania, is developing an EPZ, approximately 45 km. away from Dar es Salaam with scope for 80 industrial units. The Group claims to be developing a power plant and a dry port on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. GAIL and OVL have expressed interest in recent projects in the natural gas sector in Tanzania. Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd of India signed a MOU with Tanzania on April 5, 2012 for implementation of a drip irrigation project. Kalpataru Power Transmission Limited, Mumbai, had won a tender in 2010 worth US$ 9.34 million for laying power transmission lines between Zanzibar and Dar-es-Salaam. The project is reportedly completed. KMC, Mumbai has reportedly bagged another power transmission to be executed. Lucky Exports have bagged contracts for Power Distribution lines in Tanzania. A UP-based sugar manufacturing company (Simbhaoli Sugars Ltd.) is partnering with local investors in reviving a closed sugar factory in Zanzibar. MOU on Preliminary Joint Venture Agreement between the National Social Security Fund of Tanzania, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Tanzania and M/s. Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited, Hyderabad to set up a hospital in Tanzania was signed during the State Visit of the Prime Minister in May, 2011. A Clinic is scheduled to open in Dar es Salaam in 2014. The work relating to a 300-bed multi-specialty hospital project of the JV in Dar es Salaam is delayed, but in progress. Escorts [tractors], Ashok Leyland [trucks], Bajaj [scooters] and TVS [scooters] also have a visible presence in Tanzania. Numerous Indian engineering and manufactured goods, including Kirloskar engines and Godrej safes have a significant market share in Tanzania. All major Indian pharma companies have their distributors and representatives here. Wintech Elevators (Tanzania) Ltd., an Ahmadabad based Company has found place in Top 100 mid-sized companies of Tanzania in 2013.
Development Partnership
India gifted 5,000 tons each of wheat and rice to Tanzania in May 2004 when it faced food scarcity arising from drought conditions.
Small Industry Development Organization [SIDO] of Tanzania was established with the assistance of the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd [NSIC] in November 2007.
Two Indian funded IT / Communication projects have been established: A Centre of Excellence in ICT by C-DAC; and the Pan African e-Network Project by TCIL. The Centre is named “India-Tanzania Centre for Excellence in Information and Communication Technology” [ITCoEICT]. The ITCoEICT was set up at Dar-es-Salaam Institute of Technology
Government of India extended a Line of Credit (LOC) of US$ 40 million for supply of tractors and agricultural equipment in June 2009. Delivery of the entire consignment was completed by the third quarter of 2012.
A second LOC of US$ 36.56 million for supply of Ashok Leyland trucks to the Government of Tanzania was approved 28th March, 2011. Delivery of the vehicles from India was completed in late 2013.
PM announced another LOC of US$ 178.125 million during his State visit to Tanzania in May, 2011 for development of water supply projects. WAPCOS was appointed as the PMC in August 2013. The Tanzanian Government through Dar es Salaam Water and Sewage Authority (DAWASA) has signed agreements with the Indian Companies, VA TECH WABAG and Megha Engineering Ltd. for implementation of the project During his visit, PM also announced a grant of US$ 10 million for projects in social and educational sectors. Two projects are in the pipeline.
PM had also announced a grant of US$ 100,000/- for Zanzibar for purchase of laboratory equipment for schools which were handed over to the Zanzibar Minister of Education and Vocational Training on May 30, 2012.
Tanzania is one of the largest beneficiaries in Africa, of the ITEC/SCAAP/IAFS programmes and Indian scholarships and other educational assistance, including self-financing students in India’s institutes of higher learning. 24 scholarships have been offered in 2014-15 by ICCR.
Cooperation in Human Resources
Cooperation in the sector constitutes an important aspect of bilateral relations. A Delegation from EDCIL, led by CMD, visited Tanzania from 7-17 April, 2010.
Three lecturers from India are working in two private universities [in Zanzibar. Currently, 23 Indian professors are employed at the University of Dodoma.
The Bangalore-based Vigyan Educational Foundation set up an International Medical and Technological University (IMTU), the first private university in Tanzania. Some other Indian NGOs, including DMI from Tamil Nadu operate educational institutes in the country.
The Government of India conveyed the in-principal approval during the visit of Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences for setting up of an ICT Resource Centre at the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science & Technology [NM-AIST] at an estimated cost of US$ 1.3 million.
Cultural/Sports Exchanges
An Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), was set up in December 2010. At the ICC, currently Yoga and Music classes are conducted regularly by teachers from India. A 10- member Gujarati Folk Dance Group “Police Rass Mandal” visited Tanzania in December, 2011 on the occasion of the 50 Years of Tanzania Mainland’s Independence. A Bhangra Group visited Tanzania during 25-28 January, 2012 for Republic Day celebrations. Several programmes with local content, including Indo-African fusion music have been held at the Centre in 2012 and in 2013. A Kathak Dance Troupe from Mumbai visited Dar-es-Salaam during 25-29 January, 2013 on the occasion of Republic Day. A modern dance company from Delhi performed on the occasion of ‘The India Show’ in September 2013 and Ms Vidya Shah, a singer of devotional and classical film songs performed at Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Arusha in December 2013. The ICC conducts several events using local content, including a photo exhibition on the political leadership exchanges between India and Tanzania, an exhibition of the art of ‘Rangoli’, a fashion show, an art and sculpture exhibition in December 2013 featuring works of local artistes and a musical and yoga exposition in June 2014. Hindi classes are held regularly at the ICC.
Indian Community
Tanzania has about 40,000-50,000 people of Indian origin [referred to as Asians]. They are concentrated in the major urban centres. The vast majority are from Gujarat. Their ancestors came to this region in early 19th century. The Indian community continues to play an important role in trade and industry. In the 4th Multi-Party General Elections held in October, 2010, six MPs of Indian Origin were elected for the first time. In addition, there are about 7000 NRIs currently resident in Tanzania mostly professionals employed as CEOs, CFOs, managers, accountants, IT experts, engineers, teachers etc.
Useful Resources
For more information and latest updates please visit High Commission of India, Dar es Salaam website: http://www.hcindiatz.org/ High Commission of India, Dar es Salaam Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hcindiatz India Global- AIR FM Gold Program featuring India and Tanzania Relations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vDP8MLTF3o
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June 2014