Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said that India’s stature in the international community has seen a significant rise. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Morocco, Singh highlighted India’s growing influence on global platforms.
“I am delighted to note that you can sense the rise in stature of India before the international community…Earlier, when India spoke on an international forum, it wasn’t taken as seriously as it should have been. Today, when India speaks on an international forum, the entire world takes note of it and listens…This wasn’t the situation earlier. Despite all geopolitical and global challenges, India is one of the fastest-growing major economies”, Singh said.
The Defence Minister also pointed to India’s transformation into a hub for startups and innovation. “From 500 startups in 2014, India now has 1.60 lakh. Unicorns have risen from 18 in 2014 to 118 today,” he added.
Singh is scheduled to hold talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdeltif Loudiyi, to strengthen defence and strategic cooperation. India and Morocco are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation during the visit.
The Defence Minister’s visit marks the first-ever trip by an Indian Defence Minister to Morocco. He was received at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport by the Head Wali of the Military Command of Casablanca and Indian Ambassador Sanjay Rana. Members of the Indian community, including the President of the Indian Association, welcomed him in large numbers.
ANI
