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India, Tanzania to fight terrorism,boost gas exploration

by IBNS 20 Jun 2015, 06:11 am

New Delhi, June 20 (IBNS) India and Tanzania will set up a joint working group to fight terrorism and increase gas exploration cooperation in the east African nation.

This was agreed upon  as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete on Friday.

Reports said the  two sides also signed eight agreements, including for cooperation in the field of agricultural science, statistics, hydrography and tourism.

Addressing the media after delegation level talks with  Kikwete, Modi thanked Tanzania for its support to India's candidature for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council.

He said India is holding the Third India-Africa Forum Summit in October in New Delhi and has for the first time invited all the 54 African countries.

"Tanzania is an important part of India-Africa partnership. President Kikwete co-chaired the First India-Africa Forum Summit in 2008. We look forward to his participation too," he said.

 Kikwete is the first head of state from Africa to visit India after the Modi Government came to power.

Modi said both countries have a common interest in maritime security in the Indian Ocean and a peaceful and prosperous Africa.

"Terrorism in our respective regions is a concern for both countries. We have agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to strengthen our cooperation in counter-terrorism," he said.