PM leaves for Tanzania on three-day visit

Addis Ababa, May 26: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (May 26) left on three-day visit to Tanzania to take the bilateral ties forward in a comprehensive manner.

Singh's visit is the first by any Indian head of government after September 1997. It is also the first head of government visit from a non-African country after President Jakaya Kikwete assumed the second term following the general elections last year.

For India, Tanzania is an important partner in Africa.

India and Tanzania have played a significant role in the process of decolinisation and they struggled against apartheid. The two countries were active in developing the process of south-south cooperation for the benefit of the developing world.

The bilateral trade was over USD 1.1 billion in 2010 and the imports covered a number of agricultural commodities.

India has become the second largest investor in Tanzania with total cumulative investments of USD 1.3 billion till 2009.

Prime Minister Singh and Kikwete will tomorrow hold wide ranging discussions to find ways and means for upgrading and further consolidating the bilateral ties in a comprehensive manner, a senior official said.

PTI