The two sides have discussed a wide range of opportunities for collaboration
India and Tanzania have agreed on a five-year roadmap for defence cooperation, covering initiatives ranging from customised training and capacity-building to maritime cooperation, infrastructure building, and collaboration in defence equipment and technology. The agreement was reached during the second edition of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting held in Arusha on June 28 and 29, 2023. The Indian delegation, led by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Amitabh Prasad, included senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. High Commissioner of India to Tanzania Binay S Pradhan, also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of opportunities for collaboration with a view to enhancing security in the Indian Ocean Region. The specific collaborative strategies revolved around the following areas: Customised training and capacity building: India and Tanzania agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of training and capacity building. India has been providing training to Tanzanian armed forces personnel, and the two countries are expected to expand their cooperation in this area. Maritime cooperation: India and Tanzania are both maritime nations and have a shared interest in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean Region. The two countries discussed ways to enhance their cooperation in the areas of maritime security, including joint patrols, information sharing, and capacity building. Infrastructure building: India has been a significant development partner of Tanzania, and the two countries have cooperated in various infrastructure development projects. During the JDCC meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance their cooperation in this area, including the construction of ports, airports, and roads. Collaboration in defence equipment and technology: India has been a major supplier of defence equipment to Tanzania, and the two countries have cooperated in the areas of defence technology and research. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance their cooperation in these areas, including joint research and development projects. Cybersecurity: With the increasing use of technology in the defence sector, India and Tanzania discussed ways to enhance their cooperation in the area of cybersecurity. The two countries agreed to share information and best practices to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities. Representative from Defence Public Sector Units (PSUs) accompanied the Indian delegation and held extensive meetings with the stakeholders from the Tanzanian Forces on the sidelines of the JDCC meeting. The Indian delegation highlighted the growing prowess of the Indian defence manufacturing to export to friendly countries. India shares close, warm, and friendly relations with Tanzania, which is boosted by robust capacity building and avenues for development partnership. The visit of the Indian delegation for the JDCC meeting is expected to further strengthen defence relations with Tanzania. The political relationship between the two countries involves regular high-level visits, exchanges of views on regional and international issues, and cooperation in multilateral fora. India has been a significant development partner of Tanzania, with a focus on capacity building, infrastructure development, and human resource development. India has provided Tanzania with lines of credit for various development projects, including the construction of the TAZARA railway line, the expansion of the Dar es Salaam port, and the development of the rural electrification network. India has also provided Tanzania with technical assistance in various fields, including agriculture, health, education, and information technology. In recent years, the two countries have focused on enhancing economic ties, with India being one of Tanzania's largest trading partners. The collaboration has resulted in the signing of several agreements to enhance economic cooperation, including agreements on trade, investment, and double taxation avoidance. India and Tanzania have also cooperated in the field of climate change, with India providing technical assistance to Tanzania in developing its climate change policy and implementing climate change adaptation measures.