Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation in Rabat yesterday. The MoU provides for a robust institutional framework for the growing partnership and paves the way for collaboration in the defence industry, joint exercises, military training and capacity building. Both leaders decided to intensify defence industry collaboration and agreed on a comprehensive roadmap covering counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, and expert exchanges. The discussions between the two Ministers reflected the shared resolve to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between India and Morocco.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also met Morocco’s Minister of Trade, Mr Ryad Mezzour, in Rabat. In a social media post, the Defence Ministry informed that during the meeting, Mr Mezzour highlighted the importance of enhancing industrial cooperation between India and Morocco, bound by a long-standing friendship. The Ministry added that the discussions centred on deepening partnerships in key sectors, including defence, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.