Today marks a historic occasion as we gather here in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the launch of Blitz India’s Africa edition. The event heralds the beginning of a new golden chapter in the relationship between India and Tanzania. For this, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the friends and collaborators from both nations, whose tireless efforts and cooperation have made this momentous day possible.
Under the visionary and dynamic leadership of our honourable and beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is advancing rapidly on the path of development.
India’s rich heritage, culture, and philosophy are deeply rooted in the ancient principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means, ‘the world is one family’. The entire world witnessed this profound idea during the historic G20 Summit, where India sent a resounding message of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. Through this, we conveyed to the world that India considers all nations part of its global family.
Everyone’s development
With this spirit, India is moving forward swiftly, embracing the philosophy of ‘Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ – everyone’s effort, everyone’s development, everyone’s trust – on its journey to becoming a developed nation.
But friends, India’s progress is not for India alone. We remain fully committed to supporting the progress, prosperity, and sovereignty of all developing nations, including those across Africa. It is this shared commitment to growth and partnership that we are witnessing today, as we proudly say that the African Union now stands strong as a member of the G20, a historic achievement for us all.
Today, building on the strong foundation of friendship between India and Tanzania, Blitz India is launching a new slogan: ‘Developed India Developed Tanzania’. Friends, the friendship between India and Tanzania is deep-rooted and time-honoured, and today, we are laying the cornerstone for an even brighter future together. Let us continue to strengthen this bond and work towards shared growth and prosperity.
Historical relationship
Friends, the enduring partnership between India and Tanzania is a relationship that stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, shared values, and mutual respect. Our bond is not simply a diplomatic one; it is a relationship that stretches across decades, rooted in historical, cultural, and economic ties that have contributed immensely to Tanzania’s socio-economic development.
The story of India-Tanzania relations begins long before the modern era of Independence. In the 19th century, Indian traders, particularly from Gujarat, made their way to the East African coast, including present-day Tanzania. By the early 20th century, some 30,000 Indians had already settled here, becoming integral to Tanzania’s economy through commerce and industry.
But our relationship goes beyond trade. In the 20th century, as nations across Africa, including Tanzania, sought independence, they looked to India for inspiration. India’s hard-won freedom from colonial rule in 1947 showed that self-determination was possible.
The ideals of non-alignment and selfreliance, championed by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru resonated deeply with Tanzania’s own founding leader, Julius Nyerere. And when Tanzania gained its Independence in 1961, formal diplomatic relations between our nations quickly followed. This was the beginning of a partnership built on shared aspirations and a common vision for a brighter future.
Today, India continues to play a vital role in Tanzania’s socio-economic development, and I want to highlight a few areas where this collaboration has been especially impactful.
First and foremost is ‘Trade and Investment’. India is one of Tanzania’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $4.5 billion in 2022, up from $2.4 billion just a few years earlier. India’s exports to Tanzania include lifesaving pharmaceuticals, machinery, and motor vehicles, while Tanzania exports gold, cashew nuts, and pulses to India.
India’s progress is not for India alone. We remain fully committed to supporting the progress, prosperity, and sovereignty of all developing nations, including those across Africa
Moreover, Indian companies have invested over $3 billion in Tanzania, creating jobs and contributing to industrialisation. Major Indian firms like Bharti Airtel and Tata Group have made a strong presence here, helping drive economic growth.
Education cornerstone
But this partnership isn’t just about business. ‘Education’ has been a cornerstone of India-Tanzania relations. Each year, India offers over 400 scholarships to Tanzanian students, allowing them to pursue higher education in fields like engineering and medicine at top Indian universities. As of 2022, more than 4,000 Tanzanian students have benefited from these programs.
In addition, thousands of Tanzanian professionals have received short-term training in India, enhancing their skills and contributing to the development of Tanzania’s workforce.
Another key area is ‘Healthcare’. India is the largest supplier of essential medicines to Tanzania, exporting $191 million worth of pharmaceuticals in 2022. Indian hospitals and clinics in Tanzania provide top-notch healthcare services, and many Tanzanians travel to India for specialised treatments. In fact, over 2,500 Tanzanians travelled to India for medical care in 2022 alone, benefiting from advanced, affordable treatment. Indian medical professionals are also sharing their expertise with Tanzanian doctors, improving local healthcare systems.
Infrastructure projects
Lastly, we must talk about ‘Infrastructure’. India has been actively involved in helping Tanzania build its roads, ports, and energy facilities – critical infrastructure that boosts trade and economic growth. Through concessional credit lines, India has provided over $1 billion for various infrastructure projects in Tanzania. This includes the modernisation of the Dar es Salaam port and solar energy projects that are lighting up homes across rural Tanzania.
Ladies and gentlemen, the partnership between India and Tanzania is more than just a relationship between two nations. It is a powerful example of South-South cooperation, where developing nations work together for mutual benefit. India’s contributions to trade, education, healthcare, and infrastructure have helped shape Tanzania’s journey toward becoming a middle-income country.
As Tanzania continues to grow and develop, India will remain a steadfast partner, ready to support this nation’s aspirations and contribute to the stability and prosperity of East Africa. Thank you, and may the friendship between India and Tanzania continue to flourish for generations to come!
