Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani has arrived in Dar es Salaam for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening defence cooperation between India and Tanzania and exploring new opportunities for military collaboration.

The CDS was received at Dar es Salaam International Airport by India's High Commissioner to Tanzania, Bishwadip Dey, along with the Defence Adviser, marking the start of a visit focused on advancing an already expanding strategic relationship.

In a message shared by the Indian Embassy, it stated: “General NS Raja Subramani, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Chief of Defence Staff was received by the High Commissioner of India to United Republic of Tanzania H.E. Bishwadip Dey and the Defence Adviser on his arrival today at Dar es Salaam International Airport.”

The embassy further noted: “The CDS led delegation is on a three days official visit to Tanzania to reinforce the robust defence ties between the two countries and discuss opportunities for further collaboration.”

During the visit, General Raja Subramani and the accompanying delegation are scheduled to engage with senior leadership of the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF). Discussions are expected to focus on expanding military cooperation, strengthening institutional links and identifying new areas of partnership.

The programme also includes visits to military training establishments, providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on training, professional military education and capacity-building initiatives.

The visit follows the inaugural India-Tanzania Army-to-Army Staff Talks held in New Delhi between 27 and 29 October 2026. Those discussions centred on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation through military education, training exchanges and the development of professional capabilities.

During that engagement, the Tanzanian delegation visited the 505 Army Base Workshop and DPSU Bhawan to gain insights into India's military maintenance infrastructure and indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem. The delegation also paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial.

The latest high-level interaction builds upon momentum generated during the fourth Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting held in Zanzibar on 2-3 February 2026. The two countries reviewed cooperation in military training, maritime security and defence industrial collaboration.

Both sides also examined emerging areas of cooperation, including counter-terrorism, peacekeeping training, electronic warfare, cyber security and artificial intelligence, reflecting the broadening scope of the bilateral defence partnership.

India and Tanzania share longstanding and friendly relations that extend beyond defence into trade, education, healthcare and development cooperation. In recent years, defence ties have gained greater prominence as both countries seek closer collaboration in capacity building, maritime security and defence industry engagement.

The relationship received a major boost in 2023 when it was elevated to the level of a strategic partnership during the State Visit of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to India, providing a stronger framework for expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence and security.

ANI