Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday met Morocco’s Minister of Trade, Ryad Mezzour, in Rabat to discuss ways to deepen cooperation in key sectors including defence, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, the Ministry of Defence said.
In a post on X, a ministry official said, “Mr Mezzour warmly welcomed the Raksha Mantri and highlighted the importance of enhancing industrial cooperation between the two nations, which share a long-standing friendship. The discussions focused on expanding partnerships in critical sectors such as defence, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.”
Singh is on a two-day official visit to Morocco at the invitation of Abdeltif Loudiyi, Morocco’s Minister Delegate for National Defence. The visit marks the first-ever trip by an Indian Defence Minister to the North African nation, underscoring the growing strategic convergence between the two countries.
On Monday, Singh interacted with the Indian diaspora in Rabat, praising their contributions to Morocco’s development and their continued connection to India. Sharing his thoughts on X, he said, “Delighted to interact with the Indian community in Rabat. Lauded their hard work and dedication that defines the Indian community across the world. It is praiseworthy how they are contributing to Morocco’s progress and at the same time remain connected to their roots in India.”
His office added that Singh highlighted India’s transformational journey over the last decade across multiple dimensions, including the economy, manufacturing, technology, startups, digital innovation, and defence capabilities. Members of the Indian community echoed the pride they feel from India’s rising global stature.
A key highlight of the visit is the inauguration of Tata Advanced Systems Maroc’s manufacturing facility in Berrechid, which will produce the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8. This marks the first Indian defence manufacturing plant in Africa, a major milestone in India’s efforts to boost defence exports under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
(IANS)
