India, Tanzania to combat terrorism, climate change together

India and Tanzania on Sunday agreed to work closely in combating the twin threats of terrorism and climate change.

"Being neighbours across the Indian Ocean, (Tanzanian) President (John Magufuli) and I agreed to deepen our defence and security partnership, especially in the maritime domain," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a joint press statement with Magufuli following bilateral discussions between the two sides here.

"We agreed to work closely, bilaterally, regionally and globally, to combat the twin threats of terrorism and climate change," he said.

The Prime Minister also welcomed Tanzania as a "crucial partner" in the India-initiated International Solar Alliance.

He said India was already a substantial economic partner of Tanzania.

"The whole range of our economic ties is healthy and on the upswing," he said.

Following the successful implementation of a water supply project in Dar-es-Salaam, Modi said India was working on more such projects in Zanzibar and 17 other cities.

Earlier on Sunday, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the State House here.

Modi also played on the drums along with Magufuli, adding a local touch to the ceremony.

Modi arrived here on Saturday night from South Africa on the third leg of his four-nation tour of Africa.

This is the first prime ministerial visit from India to Tanzania in five years since the visit of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011.

Modi will leave for Kenya later on Sunday on the fourth and final leg of his African sojourn.

--IANS

ab/dg