PM Narendra Modi offers India's expertise to Tanzania as 'reliable friend'

DAR-ES-SALAAM: Looking forward to building a 21st century partnership with Tanzania, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today offered to share with the African nation India's experiences, expertise and capacity in a range of areas as a "reliable friend".

Addressing a banquet hosted in his honour by Tanzanian President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, he said, "India has been, and will always be, a trusted partner" in the developmental journey of Tanzania.

"In recent years, our ties of commerce, links of trade and investments, and development cooperation have flourished. If today, India has emerged as the World's fastest growing large economy. Then, Tanzania is one of the most important economies on this continent," Modi said.

Referring to his detailed discussions with Magufuli, he said these covered the full range of the bilateral partnership.

"Our comprehensive agenda of cooperation is driven by our key development priorities and our common security needs. These discussions would lay the foundation on which we will construct a twenty first century partnership," the Prime Minister said.

He said as Tanzania modernizes its agriculture, expands education and health care system, industrializes economy, provides skill to youth, builds capacities and institutions and secures its people and society, it will "find in India a reliable friend."

"And as a friend, we are ready and willing to share our experiences, our expertise, our capacities and our technology with Tanzania. And, do so based on your needs and priorities," he said.

Noting that Dar-es-Salaam means 'abode of peace', Modi said he had come here with the spirit of "your happiness is my happiness".

He said the ties between the two countries have deep historical roots as for over centuries, their people have known each other.

"The waters of Indian Ocean connect us. And, we are two nations with strong maritime traditions," he said.