India and Tanzania reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral economic engagement across sectors including digital infrastructure, SMEs, health, mining and agriculture as trade between the two countries reached $9.02 billion in 2025-26, up from $8.64 billion in 2024-25.
At the 5th India-Tanzania Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Dar es Salaam on 29-30 April 2026, the two sides reviewed progress since the previous meeting in August 2017 and outlined areas for enhanced cooperation, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Minister Rajesh Agrawal and Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Amb. Dr. Samwel William Shelukindo.
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The two sides discussed promoting trade settlement in local currencies and facilitating long-term business visas for Indian companies and professionals operating in Tanzania.
Areas of focus
Digital collaboration emerged as a key pillar, with discussions focusing on collaboration in digital public infrastructure, including the India Stack. Real-time payments, DigiLocker and digital services options were explored, along with engagement with e-commerce and regulatory best practices.
Strengthening MSME linkages and skill development remained a priority area. The role of IIT Madras Zanzibar as a regional center for higher education in science and technology was highlighted. Both sides identified vocational education, industrial research, innovation and sustainable technology as promising areas for deeper cooperation.
The two countries discussed cooperation in mining, including geological exploration and value addition in the precious stones sector.
In agriculture, emphasis was placed on technology transfer, agro-processing and research cooperation, along with trade in pulses such as pigeon pea. Tanzania’s proposal for enhanced cooperation in fisheries, aquaculture and marine resource management has received a positive response.
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India offered support for capacity building in health, including oncology and training of doctors. The two sides discussed expanding digital health and telemedicine services to improve access to remote areas and explored joint research on diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
India has highlighted its development cooperation through lines of credit exceeding USD 1.1 billion for water infrastructure projects in Tanzania, which are expected to benefit more than 6 million people in 24 cities.
India also offered support for railway modernization, including supply of locomotives and rolling stock, and discussed opportunities in shipbuilding and port infrastructure.
Cooperation on renewable energy, natural gas and biofuels was also launched, with both sides emphasizing the need for a comprehensive memorandum of understanding covering the energy sub-sector.
Business engagement, market access
A delegation of Indian businesses led by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) attended a joint trade meeting held jointly with the JTC. Industry representatives from both countries emphasized the importance of expanding private sector partnerships.
Market access issues including tariffs, phytosanitary measures and regulatory procedures were also discussed, with both sides agreeing to continue engagement in addressing these issues.
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The meeting ended with a reaffirmation of the commitment to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties with a future outlook for faster implementation of initiatives and broader sectoral cooperation.
The next (6th) meeting of the JTC will be held in New Delhi on mutually agreed dates.
