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New Delhi [भारत]July 16 (ANI): President of Zanzibar and Revolutionary Council Chairman of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hussein Ali Mwinyi, will be on an official visit to India from July 17 to 20, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a media advisory issued on Thursday.

President Mwinney's program in India

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, President Mwinyi along with his wife, First Lady Mariam Mwinyi, will arrive in Chennai on Friday, July 17 and then travel to New Delhi on Saturday, July 18. On Sunday, July 19, President Mwinyi is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan. He will also pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and pay floral tributes at Rajghat. President Mwinyi is scheduled to depart from India on Monday, July 20.

What is Zanzibar?

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, famous for its white sandy beaches, vibrant spice plantations and the labyrinthine Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tanzania controls union-wide matters (such as defence, foreign policy and immigration), while Zanzibar has full control over its own internal governance system, including its own president, parliament (House of Representatives) and laws.

India-Tanzania bilateral relations

The meeting is taking place in the backdrop of the announcement made during the 5th session of the India-Tanzania Joint Trade Committee (JTC) held in Dar es Salaam on 29-30 April, where both sides reviewed the progress and explored new areas of cooperation.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Tanzania have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral trade and economic relations. Trade between the two countries is expected to increase from US$ 8.64 billion in the last financial year to US$ 9.02 billion in 2025-26.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, "A comprehensive review of bilateral goods trade has shown steady and consistent growth since the 4th JTC," highlighting the upward trend in economic engagement between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal and Permanent Secretary of Tanzania Ambassador Dr. Samuel William Shelukindo.

The two countries discussed several areas to boost cooperation, including "trade settlements in local currencies, facilitating long-term business visas for Indian businessmen, strengthening regulatory cooperation in pharmaceuticals and capacity building in the areas of health, AYUSH, education and shipbuilding".

The ministry said the discussions were held in a "friendly and positive atmosphere", reflecting the strong and close relations between India and Tanzania.

Strategic and Defense Cooperation

India and Tanzania have a close, cordial and strategic partnership. Defense cooperation between the two countries is guided by a five-year roadmap. (ANI)