New Delhi-July 24, 2024 -The Tanzania High Commission in New Delhi played a crucial role in facilitating and actively participating in an important official visit by Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson (Mp), the Speaker of the United Republic of Tanzania's National Assembly and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). This visit to India took place from July 19 to July 24, 2024, with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations and promoting parliamentary diplomacy through a series of strategic engagements. Hon. Speaker Dr. Tulia was accompanied by a delegation that included H.E. Ambassador Anisa Mbega, the High Commissioner of Tanzania to India; Mr. James Nyengwa Sapali, the Private Assistant to the Speaker; and Dr. Kheri Goloka, Minister Counselor at the Tanzania High Commission in New Delhi.
On July 23, 2024, Hon. Speaker Dr. Tulia met with Hon. Om Birla, the Speaker of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha), at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi. During their meeting, they discussed ways to enhance parliamentary cooperation and democratic principles between India and Tanzania. Dr. Tulia also attended the budget session in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the importance of parliamentary oversight in fiscal matters.
Speaker Om Birla expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of Dr. Tulia’s visit, highlighting the longstanding friendship between India and Tanzania. He emphasized the importance of regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations and ongoing discussions on mutual interests to strengthen collaboration. He also proposed the establishment of Zonal Training Centres for Parliamentary Studies, Training, and Capacity Building to support democratic institutions worldwide.
Welcoming Dr. Tulia and her delegation, Hon. Birla recalled their prior interaction at the BRICS Conference in Russia, expressing his pleasure at her presence during the Budget Session. He noted that this session is critical, as it involves detailed reviews, debates, and approvals of government financial proposals.
In his remarks about the new Parliament building (Sansad Bhavan), Hon. Speaker Birla described it as a representation of India’s diverse arts, crafts, culture, music, and history. He conveyed that the building reflects the hopes and aspirations of over a billion Indians and has already seen the passage of significant legislation, including the Women's Reservation Bill, aimed at enhancing women’s leadership.
Speaking on the topic of Indian general elections, Hon. Speaker Birla characterized them as a grand celebration of democracy. He mentioned that, with around one billion eligible voters, approximately 650 million participated in the recent elections. The Speaker emphasized that the Constitution ensures every citizen’s right to vote, and measures are taken to ensure no voter is overlooked, including the establishment of polling stations for individual voters if needed.
A significant moment during the visit occurred on July 24, 2024, when Dr. Tulia met with India’s Vice President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, H.E. Jagdeep Dhankhar. During their meeting, they discussed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in addressing global challenges such as climate change, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. As the President of the IPU, Dr. Tulia reaffirmed her commitment to using the organization as a platform to amplify the voices of the Global South.
On July 24, 2024, Dr. Tulia met with the President of India, H.E. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. During their meeting, the President warmly welcomed Dr. Ackson to India and congratulated her on being elected as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the 2023-2026 term. She acknowledged Dr. Ackson's leadership within the IPU and appreciated its role in providing a platform for parliamentarians to discuss important global issues. The President expressed confidence that, as IPU President, Dr. Ackson would strengthen understanding and dialogue among member countries while promoting the values and objectives of the IPU. She also emphasized the importance of using the IPU as a platform to address issues relevant to the Global South.
The President noted that India and Tanzania have traditionally enjoyed a close and friendly relationship. She highlighted the role of the Indian community in Tanzania as an important bridge for India-Tanzania friendship. Additionally, she fondly recalled her comprehensive discussions with Her Excellency President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan during her state visit to India in October 2023.
Furthermore, Dr. Tulia met with External Affairs Minister Hon. Dr. S. Jaishankar to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors such as trade, education, and healthcare. The visit also included a cultural component, with Dr. Tulia visiting the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, symbolizing the deep cultural ties and people-to-people connections between the two nations.
