PM praises Tanzania's Indian community

From V Mohan Narayan
Dar es Salaam, May 27 (PTI) The Indian community here
came in for praise from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
who said they have earned a reputation for entrepreneurial
spirit, perseverance and hard work making remarkable
contributions to the development of Tanzania.
On a three-day visit to give a fresh impetus to
bilateral ties, Singh met the Indian community here Thursday
night and said they symbolized the contemporary face of
civilizational and historical linkages with Tanzania and with
East Africa as a whole.
Tanzanians of Indian origin and Indian expatriates
constitute the largest migrant group in this African country.
The total number of persons of Indian origin in Tanzania is
over 40,000.
Indian expatriates, who first came as teachers and
experts, and who now come as professionals and skilled
craftsmen, have found Tanzania a rich and welcoming society,
with many commonalities with India, he noted.
Singh will meet Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete
on a range of regional, international and bilateral matters.
The Prime Minister said India has had historical links
with erstwhile Tanganyika and Zanzibar.
These have now been transformed into a strong and
abiding relationship with the United Republic of Tanzania, he
said, adding "Tanzania for us is the gateway to eastern
Africa".