In a significant step to strengthen strategic ties, India and Morocco on September 22 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation during Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh’s visit to Rabat.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi held bilateral talks in Rabat, where they formalised the MoU to establish a robust institutional framework for defence collaboration.

The agreement paves the way for deeper cooperation in defence industry, joint exercises, military training, capacity building, and expert exchanges. Both sides also agreed to expand collaboration across key areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, and military medicine.

To advance these initiatives, Rajnath Singh announced the opening of a new Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in Rabat. He highlighted the capabilities of India’s defence industry, including advanced drone and counter-drone technologies, emphasising opportunities for co-development and co-production to meet Morocco’s defence needs.

The two Ministers underscored the importance of enhanced Armed Forces exchanges and multilateral cooperation to tackle regional and global security challenges. They also stressed the significance of closer coordination in maritime security, given the strategic role of the Indian Ocean and Atlantic corridors.

Rajnath Singh extended a formal invitation to Loudiyi to visit India for further discussions. The meeting marks a milestone in bilateral defence relations, reflecting the growing convergence of strategic interests between the two nations.

News source: PIB