Seeking to enhance its ties with resource-rich Tanzania, India on Sunday extended its full support to the country to meet its development needs and signed five agreements, including one for providing a Line of Credit of $92 million in the water resources sector.
Describing India as a trusted partner in meeting Tanzania’s development priorities, Mr. Modi said he along with President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli “agreed to deepen overall defence and security partnership, especially in the maritime domain.”
“Our in-depth discussions on regional and global issues reflected our considerable convergence on issues of common interest and concern,” he said at a joint press interaction after his bilateral meeting with President Magufuli.
Twin threats
The two leaders agreed to work closely, bilaterally, regionally and globally to combat the twin threats of terrorism and climate change.
In a joint statement, the two leaders expressed their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stated that there could be no justification for terrorism whatsoever. They expressed satisfaction on the holding of bilateral counter-terrorism consultations in early 2016.
“India’s cooperation with Tanzania will always be as per your needs and priorities,” Mr. Modi said.
The two sides signed an agreement under which India would provide a Line of Credit of $ 92 million for rehabilitation and improvement of Zanzibar’s water supply system.
Other agreements signed included an MoU on water resource management and development, an MoU for establishment of vocational training centre at Zanzibar, an MoU on visa waiver for diplomatic/official passport holders and an agreement between the National Small Industries Corporation of India and the Small Industries Development Organisation, Tanzania.
The Prime Minister said the two countries were also working on a number of other water projects for 17 cities in Tanzania.