India, Morocco sign defence cooperation MoU to deepen strategic ties
New Delhi, September 22. India and Morocco took a major step towards strengthening defence ties on September 22 as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart, Abdeltif Loudiyi, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation in Rabat.
The agreement establishes a structured framework for expanding bilateral defence engagement, covering joint exercises, training, capacity building, and collaboration in the defence industry, Defence Ministry stated in a press release. Both ministers also agreed on a comprehensive roadmap to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, and expert exchanges.
In a move to boost coordination, Singh announced the establishment of a Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in Rabat. He underscored the growing capabilities of India’s defence sector, particularly in emerging areas such as drones and counter-drone systems, and assured that Indian companies could support Morocco’s defence requirements.
The two sides emphasised the importance of deeper exchanges between their armed forces, expanded training programmes, and joint opportunities for co-development and co-production of defence systems. They also highlighted the need for greater multilateral cooperation to address regional and global security challenges, while welcoming closer coordination in maritime security, given the importance of the Indian Ocean and Atlantic corridors.
Singh extended an invitation to Loudiyi to visit India for further discussions on enhancing defence partnership. The meeting marked a significant milestone in India-Morocco relations, reflecting the growing convergence of strategic interests between the two nations.
