Tanzanian President Hassan tries her hands at Santoor with PM Modi’s encouragement

New Delhi [India], October 10 (ANI): Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan during her ongoing India visit tried her hand at playing the musical instrument santoor while Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched.

PM Modi on Monday held a meeting with the Tanzanian President who is on a State visit to the country at the Hyderabad house in the national capital.

A candid moment between PM Modi and Tanzanian President has surfaced from their meeting.

In the video, PM Modi can be seen apparently guiding the Tanzanian President on how to use the light wooden mallets used to play the Santoor.

President Hassan then goes on to play a few notes on the traditional Indian instrument.

The Tanzanian President was earlier today conferred with an honourary degree by the Jawaharlal Nehru University. In her address at the event, Hassan expressed her gratitude for the honour, which she termed added “colour” to her life history.

“The world says, there is no midway in falling in love with India, be it an Indian song, an Indian movie, or Indian cuisine, it is very difficult to resist an Indian charm. I experienced it when I came to India for the first time in 1998 to study in Hyderabad. I stand here as a family member of Jawaharlal Nehru University and no more as a visiting guest. This is what makes India irresistible. This is what makes India, the Incredible India…,” President Hassan said in her remarks.

On Monday after the two leaders reviewed the full range of bilateral ties, PM Modi said that the two countries have decided to work together to form a five-year roadmap in the defence sector.

In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi stated, “Had an excellent meeting with President @SuluhuSamia. We reviewed the full range of India-Tanzania relations and have elevated our time-tested relation to a Strategic Partnership. The areas of our discussion included trade, commerce and people-to-people linkages.”

He stated that India and Tanzania are keen to explore new avenues of cooperation in various areas like education, skill development and information technology.

In his post on X, PM Modi stated, “India and Tanzania are keen to explore new avenues of cooperation in sectors such as education, skill development and IT. At the same time, we want to further deepen linkages in areas like water resources, agriculture and healthcare, where we are working closely at present.”

In another tweet, he stated, “Our nations have decided to work together to form a five-year roadmap in the defence sector. This will be beneficial for military training, maritime cooperation, capacity building and the defence industry.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Tanzania India’s largest and the closest development partner of India in Africa, noting that today marks a historic day in India-Tanzania relations.

Tanzanian President who is in India at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu was received by the Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi at the Delhi airport on Sunday.

On Monday, President Hassan was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan and participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at Rajghat.