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| President of Zanzibar Dr Mwinyi and the India's External Affairs Minister, Hon. Dr. S. Jaishankar, at the Taj Palace Hotel conference hall in New Delhi, India. |
The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, His Excellency Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, has thanked the Government of India for continuing to strengthen cooperation with the United Republic of Tanzania in various sectors, particularly education, trade, investment, health, water, science, and technology.
President Dr. Mwinyi made these remarks today, July 19, 2026, during a meeting with India's External Affairs Minister, Hon. Dr. S. Jaishankar, at the Taj Palace Hotel conference hall in New Delhi, India.
He said that the historic and diplomatic relations between Tanzania and India have continued to yield positive results, including increased trade, investment, and the implementation of various development projects that benefit citizens from both sides.
President Dr. Mwinyi thanked the Indian Government for its cooperation in implementing water projects through a concessional loan from the Export-Import Bank of India, noting that the completion of the first phase of the project has contributed to improved access to clean and safe water in Zanzibar.
In the education sector, President Dr. Mwinyi requested the Indian Government to continue increasing scholarships, training opportunities, and capacity-building programs for students and professionals from Zanzibar in various priority fields for national development.
He said the Government looks forward to seeing some of the academic and professional programs offered at the IIT Madras campus in Chennai introduced at the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus as the institution expands its activities.
President Dr. Mwinyi explained that the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government has prepared a Master Plan for the construction of a permanent IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, aimed at expanding infrastructure, increasing academic programs, and strengthening research, innovation, and entrepreneurship activities.
He said the plan includes the establishment of innovation hubs and a training center that will provide opportunities for students, researchers, trainers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from various African nations.
He added that the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government's commitment is to make IIT Madras Zanzibar a center for higher education, research, technology, innovation, and training for the African region, a move that will ease access to education and expertise without students and professionals having to travel to India.
President Dr. Mwinyi said the construction of the campus will open more opportunities for collaboration between Tanzanian educational institutions, including those in Zanzibar, and India through joint research, student and faculty exchanges, and short-term training programs in various fields.
He noted that the presence of the campus is also expected to increase the influx of students, researchers, trainers, and professionals from different countries, a situation that will contribute to the growth of educational tourism and other economic activities in Zanzibar.
President Dr. Mwinyi assured Minister Dr. Jaishankar that the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government is prepared to fulfill its responsibilities in building the permanent IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, as well as creating an enabling environment for the institution to achieve its intended goals.
On his part, India's External Affairs Minister, Hon. Dr. S. Jaishankar, said his Government values the longstanding relationship between India and Tanzania and will continue to cooperate in implementing joint projects and exploring new opportunities in the sectors of education, health, technology, trade, investment, and capacity building for the citizens of both sides.
Hon. Dr. Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the progress of the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, recalling his visit to Zanzibar in 2023, when he witnessed the signing of the agreement to establish this first international campus outside of India.
Following the discussions, President Dr. Mwinyi handed over to Hon. Dr. Jaishankar the Master Plan for the construction of the permanent IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, detailing the layout and various areas planned for development.
The meeting was attended by Zanzibar's Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Hon. Lela Muhamed Mussa; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Hon. Dr. Ngwaru Jumanne Maghembe (MP); Tanzania's Ambassador to India, Hon. Anisa Kapufi Mbega; alongside other leaders and officials from the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Government of India.