New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): President of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania, and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Hussein Ali Mwinyi, will pay an official visit to India from July 17 to 20, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a media advisory issued on Thursday.

According to the MEA, President Mwinyi, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Mariyam Mwinyi, will arrive in Chennai on Friday, July 17, before travelling to New Delhi on Saturday, July 18.

On Sunday, July 19, President Mwinyi is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan. He will also pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at Rajghat.

President Mwinyi is scheduled to depart India on Monday, July 20.

Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean, famous for its powdery white-sand beaches, vibrant spice plantations, and the UNESCO World Heritage maze of Stone Town.

Tanzania controls union-wide affairs (like defence, foreign policy, and immigration) while Zanzibar has total control over its internal governance, including its own president, parliament (House of Representatives), and laws.

The meeting comes amidst the backdrop of the announcement that came during the 5th Session of the India-Tanzania Joint Trade Committee (JTC) held on April 29-30 in Dar es Salaam, where both sides reviewed progress and explored new areas of cooperation.

India and Tanzania reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral trade and economic ties, with trade between the two countries reaching USD 9.02 billion in 2025-26, up from USD 8.64 billion in the previous fiscal, according to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 'a comprehensive review of bilateral merchandise trade reflected steady and consistent growth since the 4th JTC,' highlighting the upward trajectory in economic engagement between the two countries.The meeting was co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Tanzania's Permanent Secretary Amb Dr Samwel William Shelukindo.

Both countries discussed a wide range of sectors to boost cooperation, including 'trade settlement in local currencies, facilitation of long-term business visas for Indian businesspersons, strengthening regulatory collaboration in pharmaceuticals and capacity building in areas of health, AYUSH, education and shipbuilding.' The ministry noted that discussions were held in a 'friendly and positive atmosphere, reflecting the strong and close relations between India and Tanzania.'

India and Tanzania share a close, warm, and strategic partnership. Defence cooperation between the two countries is guided by a five-year roadmap. (ANI)