Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a two-day official visit to Morocco beginning September 22, marking a significant step in deepening India’s strategic and defence engagement with the North African nation.
During his visit, Singh will inaugurate Tata Advanced Systems Maroc’s new manufacturing facility for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 in Berrechid. This plant is the first Indian defence manufacturing facility on the African continent—an important milestone under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) described the development as a reflection of the growing global footprint of India’s defence industry.
At the invitation of Morocco’s Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defence Administration, Abdellatif Loudiyi, this will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Morocco, MoD said in a statement on Saturday.
The visit underscores the growing strategic convergence and expanding bilateral ties between the two countries.
Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdellatif Loudiyi, to discuss strengthening cooperation in defence, security and industrial sectors. He will also meet Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, to explore avenues for industrial collaboration, particularly in defence manufacturing and technology.
One of the key outcomes of the visit is expected to be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation, which will establish an institutional framework for deepening bilateral engagements. The MoU is likely to cover areas such as military training, capacity building, defence exchanges and industrial partnerships.
According to the MoD, Indian Navy ships have made regular port calls to Casablanca in recent years, and the upcoming agreement will help further consolidate maritime cooperation between the two countries.
As part of his visit, Singh will also interact with members of the Indian community in Rabat, acknowledging their contribution to fostering people-to-people ties.
Bilateral relations between India and Morocco have gained renewed momentum since the landmark meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His Majesty King Mohammed VI during the India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015. The Defence Minister’s visit is expected to inject new energy into this growing partnership, particularly in the defence and strategic domains.
Published on September 20, 2025