India’s Army Chief, General Manoj Pande, is continuing India’s efforts to strengthen military ties with African nations, particularly in the face of China’s growing influence on the continent. He has embarked on a four-day visit to Tanzania with the primary objective of enhancing bilateral defence partnerships and laying the groundwork for a more robust future collaboration.
During his stay in Tanzania, General Pande is set to hold meetings with high-ranking officials, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Defence Minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax. These interactions aim to bolster bilateral defence cooperation and set the stage for a more enduring partnership.
General Pande’s agenda also includes extensive discussions with Tanzania’s Chief of Defence Force, General Jacob John Mkunda, and an interaction with the Commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, General Saidi Hamisi Saidi, as mentioned in an official statement from the Indian Army. In addition to the capital, Dar es Salaam, he will visit the historic city of Zanzibar and Arusha.
Throughout his visit from October 2 to 5, General Pande will deliberate on strategies to enhance bilateral defence ties and engagements with his Tanzanian counterparts, including the defence minister and chief of defence forces, among others.
Furthermore, General Pande is scheduled to address the National Defence College in Dar es Salaam and engage with the commandant and faculty of the Command and Staff College at Duluti.
To coincide with General Pande’s visit, the second edition of the India-Tanzania mini defence expo will take place in Dar es Salaam. This event will showcase India’s defence production capabilities.
In recent months, India has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing defence cooperation with African nations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Nigeria, while General Pande traveled to Egypt. India is also exploring the possibility of exporting BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Akash air defence missiles to certain African countries.
According to the official statement this visit is not only an opportunity to celebrate existing collaborations but also a means to strengthen future partnerships. As reported earlier this year, the bilateral defence relationship between India and Tanzania has thrived, with a strong foundation laid by the Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed in October 2003. This cooperation was further solidified during the second meeting of the India-Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee held in Arusha, Tanzania, in June of this year.
Mini-DefExpo
In conjunction with the Society for Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Ministry of Defence, a Mini-DefExpo has been organized during the Chief of the Indian Army’s visit.
Numerous Indian companies, including Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and private sector enterprises such as L&T, Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, Ideaforge Technology, Adani Defence, Zen Technologies, and MKU, among others are participating.
Additionally, public sector companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Mazagon Dock Limited, Bharat Dynamics, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, and others are actively involved. The primary focus of this initiative is to explore new markets for the Indian defence industry.