By IANS,
Dar es Salaam: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday touched down here to a red carpet welcome to begin a two-day visit to Tanzania that is expected to boost economic and strategic ties with the vibrant East African country’s economy that is home to 40,000 persons of Indian origin.
In a gesture underlining his country’s special ties with India, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete warmly received Manmohan Singh and his delegation who landed here in the evening after attending the second India-Africa Forum Summit in Addis Ababa.
Tanzania pulled out all stops in welcoming Manmohan Singh on the first visit by an Indian prime minister to this country in 14 years.
Dancers, musicians and drummers, dressed in colourful traditional attire, welcomed the Indian leader by waving Indian and Tanzanian flags.
A 19-gun salute boomed in the air as the military band played on.
Manmohan Singh and Kikewete will on Friday hold wide-ranging talks, during which India is expected to announce fresh economic and capacity building initiatives.