In an effort to further strengthen defence cooperation and deepen strategic partnership with Tanzania, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) DG Lieutenant General DS Rana is visiting the African nation.

During the three days visit starting May 13, the two sides will discuss   regional security as well as defence exports to Tanzania and the African continent.  

Also, for the first time, a ‘Defence Wing’ is being created in the Indian High Commission in Tanzania and this will be inaugurated by Lt Gen DS Rana when he reaches Dar es Salaam. He will also give `Made in India’ bullet proof jackets to Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF).

What is the agenda?

Besides inaugurating the Defence wing at the Indian High Commission in Dar es Salaam, the DIA Chief will meet Tanzania’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Jacob John Makunda and his counterpart Major General MN Makeremi.

Significance of the first ever Defence Wing

This means that for the first time an Indian ‘Defence Attache’ (DA) will be deployed in Tanzania. Though it has not been officially announced, according to sources a Indian Navy officer of the Commander rank will be posted as DA in Dar es Salaam.

Global South

In fact, in order to increase defence and military cooperation with African countries, India is now preparing to deploy its DAs in different countries in the African continent. With Africa’s participation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Global South’ and ‘G-20’, the African continent is now on priority in India’s military diplomacy. This is the reason why separate DAs are being deployed in African countries Tanzania, Djibouti, Mozambique, Ivory Coast and Ethiopia.

In fact, the embassies and high commissions established in major countries have a defence wing where DAs are deployed. These DAs are officers of the Army, Air Force and Navy. Naval officers are posted as DA Or Naval Attache in countries with which India has maritime cooperation.

The DA/NA is responsible for India’s military exercises with that country, cooperation in defence technology and import-export of arms. Because now India is going to provide bulletproof jackets to Tanzania, there is a need to deploy a separate DA there. Besides, being a country in the Western Indian Ocean, cooperation can also be done with Tanzania in controlling Somalian pirates and in security of the Arabian Sea.

Five Year Roadmap

During Gen Pande’s visit to the African continent, the focus was on deepening bilateral defence cooperation and enhancing security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Besides holding meetings with the country’s defence leadership and delivering a keynote address on ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ capability under the ‘Atamnirbhar Bharat’ initiative, General Pande also gifted a ‘Made in India’ Infantry Simulator and bulletproof jackets to Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF).

Military Drills

For the last few years, India has started conducting joint military exercises (‘Africa India Defence Exercise’ or AFINDX) with African countries. Along with this, special ‘Defence Minister Conclave’ and ‘Chief-Conclave’ are organized during the Defence Expo. The Indian Navy also conducts ‘IMT-Trilateral’ maritime exercises with the navies of Tanzania and Mozambique.

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence,  the DIA Chief will also inaugurate a library built with Indian collaboration at Tanzania’s Command and Staff College (CSC) Arusha and lay the foundation stone of a gymnasium.