Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete visit to India to further cement ties: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Narendra Modi today welcomed Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete to India and said his visit will further cement the close and friendly ties between the two countries.

Kikwete, accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers and senior officials, arrived here on a six-day visit during which he will hold talks with the Indian leadership on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

"I welcome President @jmkikwete of Tanzania and Mama Salma Kikwete to India. I wish both of them a wonderful stay in India.

"The visit of President @jmkikwete will further cement the close & friendly ties between India & Tanzania," Modi tweeted.

On Friday, Modi and the Tanzanian President will hold bilateral talks. Kikwete will also call on the President and Vice-President.

President Kikwete will also pay a day-long visit to Jaipur. The President will host a banquet in honour of the visiting guest.

India and Tanzania have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations anchored in mutually beneficial commercial exchanges and extensive people-to-people contacts.

India is the largest trading partner of Tanzania in Africa with bilateral trade in 2013-14 being more than USD 4 billion.

Apart from trade relations, India is also the important destination for Tanzanians seeking high quality health care and education.

Indians form the largest expatriate community in Tanzania and their positive contribution in the progress and development of their host country is well recognized and appreciated.

There are over approximately 50,000 to 60,000 persons of Indian origion living and working in Tanzania and approximately 10,000 Indian expatriates.