India has made a significant move to strengthen its strategic relationship with North Africa by establishing a new Defence Wing at its Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. The decision was made during a bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Abdeltif Loudiyi, in which the two also signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes the basis for strong institutional cooperation across a number of areas, including counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, and military medicine. It also facilitates joint training exchanges, exercises, and industry partnerships in defence, in line with India’s rising role as a provider of global security.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s advanced defence manufacture capacities, especially in drone and counter-drone capabilities, and expressed willingness to help Morocco evolve its own defence capabilities. Both ministers discussed a roadmap for co-development and co-production in the defence sector while stressing the need for cooperation on maritime security in the Indian Ocean and Atlantic corridors.
This development strengthens ties between India and Morocco and also broadens New Delhi’s engagement in Africa, furthering India’s aspiration to be a significant contributor to global security and a dependable partner in managing regional and global issues.