Dar-es-Salaam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held talks with Tanzanian President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli on a wide range of issues aimed at boosting ties in the African continent, particularly in the economic sphere.

PM Narendra Modi.

The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome when he arrived at the State House.

“A ceremonial welcome, the East African way. PM’s Tanzania engagements begin at the State House in Dar-es-Salaam,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The Prime Minister, who arrived here late last night on the third leg of his four-nation Africa tour, also played the drum along with the Tanzanian President for nearly one minute.

“New beats to the #IndiaAfrica rhythm! PM @narendramodi and President @MagufuliJP play the drum,” Swarup said.

Prime Minister Modi and President Magufuli first held restricted talks before holding delegation-level parleys,.

“PM @narendramodi and President @MagufuliJP in restricted talks following the welcome,” Swarup tweeted.

The visit will be aimed at giving an impetus to ties with Tanzania, a valued friend in Africa, Modi had said ahead of his visit.

He will also be meeting ‘Solar Mamas‘, a group of rural women solar engineers from Africa who have been trained under Government of India-supported programmes to fabricate, install, use, repair and maintain solar lanterns and household solar lighting systems in their villages.

He visited Mozambique and South Africa before arriving here. He will also visit Kenya.

The focus of the African tour is on deepening cooperation in areas of hydrocarbons, maritime security, trade and investment, agriculture and food.

Source From : firstpost.com