India keen to ramp up ties with energy-rich Tanzania

NEW DELHI: With Tanzania emerging as a oil and gas reserve-rich country, India is keen to ramp up its bilateral ties with the East African nation whose Chief of Defence Forces Gen Davis A Mwamunyange is on a visit here.

According to defence sources, China has already made huge inroads in the country and India is aiming at capitalising on all opportunities at hand.

While Tanzania and India have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly and cooperative ties, Chinese seems to have acquired a "vice-like grip" over Tanzanian affairs with their sustained efforts over the last four decades, defence sources said.

"Chinese obviously wields considerable influence and they are unlikely to allow any new initiatives where significant gains would accrue to India and that is inimical to their interests," the sources said.

Sources said that the government's approach is that current levels of engagement be maintained and any significant opportunity be capitalised upon.

Gen Mwamunyange today met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. He also called on IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha besides the Army and Navy cheifs.

East Africa is a new hotspot in hydrocarbon exploration after substantial deposits of crude oil were found in Uganda and major gas reserves discovered in Tanzania and Mozambique.

Tanzania had last week launched a team of negotiators who would represent the country in discussing all natural gas and oil contracts with International Oil Companies (IOCs).