PM meets ‘solar mamas’ in Tanzania

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 10

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today visited Tanzania and later Kenya as he wrapped up the last leg of his Africa tour. In Tanzania earlier today, he was accorded a warm ceremonial welcome following which he held talks with Tanzanian President John Magufuli. The PM proceeded to play the traditional drums along with the Tanzanian President.

The PM also met a group of about 30 “solar mamas” from Tanzania and a few other African countries. Solar mamas are a group of rural women solar engineers from different African countries who have been trained under programmes supported by India for harnessing solar energy. India also handed over a navigational chart of Mkoani Harbour (Tanzania) which has been prepared by the National Hydrographic Office in India.

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India and Tanzania also signed five agreements, including a $92 million water supply deal to 17 Tanzanian cities. India has also decided to step up its cooperation with Tanzania in the area of gas as Tanzania has emerged as a serious player in the field of gas production following a series of finds since 2011.

After holding delegation-level talks with the Tanzanian President, Modi said, “Both of us felt that we need to: One, deepen our partnership in agriculture and food security, including through enhanced export of pulses from Tanzania to India; two, work together in development and use of natural gas; three, partner in building industrial economy, capacities and institutions in Tanzania; and four, deepen our trade and investment partnership by encouraging greater industry-to-industry ties.” Defence and security cooperation is an area that the PM has raised with all African nations he has visited. In Tanzania, Modi stressed the need to closely work together to combat terrorism.

“Being neighbours across Indian Ocean, President and I agreed to deepen our defence and security partnership, especially in the maritime domain,” Modi said.

“Our in-depth discussions on regional and global issues reflected our considerable convergence on issues of common interest and concern,” he said.

Modi said both sides agreed to work closely, bilaterally, regionally and globally, to combat the twin threats of terrorism and climate change and described Tanzania as a “crucial partner” in the India-initiated International Solar Alliance.

Health care is another sector that Modi highlighted and said: “We are ready to meet the health care priorities of the Tanzanian government, including supply of medicines and equipment.” The PM added that an Indian radiotherapy machine was being installed at Bugando Medical Centre in the country’s Mwanza city to treat cancer patients.

 Later in the day, the PM left for Kenya which is the last leg of his Africa tour.