Countering China's Deepening African Footprint, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande Travels To Tanzania For A Four-Day Visit

In a continued effort to strengthen India's military presence in Africa, particularly in light of China's strategic influence, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande is set to embark on a crucial four-day visit to Tanzania, reported Times of India.

General Pande's visit, scheduled from 2 to 5 October, aims to foster bilateral defence ties and engagements with high-ranking officials, including the Tanzanian Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Forces.

During his visit, General Pande is also slated to deliver an address at the National Defence College in Dar es Salaam.

Additionally, he will engage with the commandant and faculty of the Command and Staff College at Duluti, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration between the countries.

Furthermore, the second edition of the India-Tanzania mini defence expo will coincide with General Pande's visit to Dar es Salaam. This event will serve as a platform to showcase India's defence production capabilities and explore avenues for collaboration in the defence sector.

India's approach toward enhancing military ties with African nations is evident in recent high-level visits.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Nigeria, while General Pande traveled to Egypt, underlining India's commitment to strengthening partnerships in the region.

India is also exploring opportunities to export its cutting-edge defence technology, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and the Akash air defence missiles, to several African countries.

India has earlier (in March) held the first-ever India-Africa Army Chief Conclave and the second edition of Africa-India Exercise (AFINDEX-2023).

This new outreach comes in the backdrop of China, expanding its strategic influence in the African and Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Over the last few years, China has invested in at least 17 ports in east Africa, giving it a robust presence in the western Indian Ocean.

In 2017, it also launched its first foreign military base, located on Africa's east coast in Djibouti.

These increased outreach to African nations by India is to combat this rising Chinese influence. India is currently building military infrastructure on Mauritius' Agalega Island in the western Indian Ocean.

The infrastructure, which includes a 3,000 metre-long runway and two new jetties, would allow India to maintain a greater military presence in the region.