The bilateral defence relationship between India and Tanzania has been robust and thriving
Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande is visiting Tanzania from October 2-5, 2023 in a move that reinforces the long-standing defence ties between the two countries. He is scheduled to have intensive discussions with the country’s top military and political leadership to build on the existing cooperation between the armed forces of the two nations.

While in Tanzania, General Pande will visit capital Dar es Salaam, the historical city of Zanzibar, and Arusha. He will engage in discussions and meetings with a host of dignitaries and senior officers from Tanzania.

Meetings with Defence Minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax and Chief of Defence Force General Jacob John Mkunda are high on the agenda. Additionally, the Chief of Army Staff is likely to call on Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, India’s Ministry of Defence said on Monday (October 2, 2023).

During his visit to Zanzibar (a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania), General Pande will call on President Hussein Ali Mwinyi. An interaction with Commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade General Saidi Hamisi Saidi is scheduled during the visit.
General Pande will address the National Defence College and interact with Commandant Major General Wilbert Augustine Ibuge and the faculty. A meeting with the Commandant of the Command and Staff College, Duluti Brigadier General Stephen Justice Mnkande is also planned during the visit.

Significantly, the visit coincides with the 2nd India Tanzania Mini DEFEXPO being conducted at Dar-es-Salaam which will showcase the growing prowess of the Indigenous defence industry complex of India.
The bilateral defence relationship between India and Tanzania has been robust and thriving, the Ministry of Defence noted as it gave the following examples:

1. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation in October 2003 laid a strong foundation.

2. This cooperation was further underscored by the second meeting of the India-Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee held in Arusha, Tanzania June 28-29, 2023.

3. Both the Indian and Tanzanian Army offer vacancies for each other in professional military courses. This has helped the personnel from both countries build strong bonds, exchange ideas and share best practices.

4. The Tanzanian Army has been consistently participating in the UN Peacekeeping training in India over the last five years.

5. A Training Team of the Indian Army has been deployed at Command and Staff College, Duluti since 2017.

Tanzanian military delegations have been regularly visiting India symbolising the deep military cooperation between both countries. This year, Tanzanian delegations have attended Aero India 23, Indo Africa Army Chiefs Conclave-23 and AFINDEX-23. Senior military leaders from Tanzania also visited India during Def Expo 22 and recently concluded the 13th IPACC, 47th IPAMS and 9th SELF 23.

“This visit of the COAS further consolidates the high-level bilateral defence engagements and close defence ties shared between India and Tanzania. The visit promises to not just celebrate the existing collaborations but also pave the way for a stronger future partnership,” the Ministry of Defence said.