Tanzanian President calls on President Mukherjee in New Delhi

Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, called on President Pranab Mukherjee here on Friday.

He was accompanied by his wife Salma and Tanzanian delegates as the two leader sat for discussions at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Later the visiting guests were welcomed to a banquet where they met India's Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal among others.

Kikwete arrived in India on Wednesday on a five-day state visit to further cement the friendly ties between the two nations who have had close relations since the 1960s.

Earlier in the day, Kikwete was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential palace in New Delhi where he held delegation-level talks with Modi.

Later, India and Tanzania agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, natural gas and maritime security and vowed to expand trade relations between the two countries.

India and Tanzania signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) and resolved to strengthen partnership in human resources, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure in Tanzania.

The countries also agreed to extend cooperation in maritime sector and ocean economy, Modi said, adding, India would "soon extend e-tourist visa scheme to Tanzania".

This is Kikwete's second visit to India in the 10 years of his leadership.

According to India's Foreign Ministry, Tanzania is home to about 40,000-50,000 people of Indian origin who play an important role in trade and industry of the east African nation.

In March the two countries signed a deal for Tanzania to get $380 million in loans from India for water projects.

Tanzania is one of India's largest African trading partner, with India's economic engagement in the country totalling $1.834 billion between 1990 and 2012, while an additional $497 million has been invested by Indian companies in special export deals in Tanzania.