EAM Jaishankar holds meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday held a meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He thanked her for appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative for the inclusion of African Union as a permanent member in the G20.

In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, "Honoured to call on President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania on her State visit to India. Thanked her for her appreciation of PM @narendramodi's initiative towards African Union's permanent membership of the G20. Valued her guidance in expanding our bilateral relationship in so many domains."

In his opening remarks at the G20 Summit, PM Modi invited the African Union's chairperson Azali Assoumani to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.

Earlier in the day, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan arrived in Delhi on State visit to India. Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi received her in New Delhi.

She was welcomed with a traditional folk dance performance at the airport. Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated that it is Samia Suluhu Hassan's first visit to India after assuming office.

In a post shared on X, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated, "Giving a fresh impetus to - ties. President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania arrives on a State Visit to India. This is her first visit to India since the assumption of the office of President. Warmly welcomed by MoS @EduMinOfIndia @Annapurna4BJP at the airport."

Upon her arrival in India, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan stated, "Landed in New Delhi for a state visit, at the invitation of India national leaders. To Tanzanians, India is our extended family, a strategic ally, and one of our largest bilateral trading partners. I am looking forward to a productive visit in expanding trade and investment between India and Tanzania, a foundation for prosperity for the people of our two countries."

Samia Suluhu Hassan is on a visit to India at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu. On Monday, she will meet President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ministry of External Affairs in a press release stated, "During her stay in New Delhi, President Samia Suluhu Hassan will meet with the President. She will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan and thereafter will hold a detailed bilateral dialogue with Prime Minister. A state banquet will also be hosted by President in the honor of President Samia Suluhu Hassan."

On October 10, Tanzanian President will participate in a business and investment forum in New Delhi. She will depart from India on October 11. MEA in the press release stated a Presidential visit from Tanzania is taking place after more than 8 years.

According to MEA, Samia Suluhu Hassan's visit will further invigorate and strengthen the "historic and friendly relations" between India and Tanzania.

On Saturday, Tanzania's Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Yusuf Makamba has said that during Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's India visit, the two countries will elevate their defence relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

"In this visit, we will elevate our relationships to a comprehensive strategic partnership with four pillars. One is a development corporation. Two, maritime security, three, defence corporation and four, trade investment..." the Tanzanian Foreign Affairs Minister told ANI.

"In defence, there are many areas and we have been working with the Indian defence sector for a while now in terms of training, and exchange of knowledge. Hardware will be part of the future arrangement. There is a foundation of cooperation and it's part of the four pillars of strategic partnership we want to have with India," he added.