Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi during the signing of an MoU on September 22, 2025. Picture: X/@rajnathsingh.
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.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation was signed in Rabat, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also announcing the opening of a new Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in the Moroccan capital.
According to the Defence Ministry, Mr. Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi held a bilateral meeting.
According to Ministry of Defence, the MoU establishes a robust institutional framework for expanding ties, paving the way for collaboration in defence industry, joint exercises, military training, and capacity building.
Both Ministers agreed to intensify defence industry cooperation under a comprehensive roadmap covering counter terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, and expert exchanges.
To give momentum to these initiatives, Mr. Singh announced the opening of a new Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in Rabat. He underlined the maturity of India’s defence industry, highlighting advanced capabilities in areas such as drones and counter-drone systems, and assured that Indian companies are well positioned to support Morocco’s defence requirements.
The two leaders also stressed the importance of enhanced armed forces exchanges, specialised training programmes, and opportunities for co-development and co-production.
They further emphasised the need for greater multilateral cooperation to address regional and global security challenges, welcoming closer coordination in maritime security across the Indian Ocean and Atlantic corridors, the Defence Ministry stated.
The Defence Minister extended an invitation to Mr. Loudiyi to visit India for further discussions. The meeting marks a significant milestone in the growing strategic convergence between India and Morocco, reinforcing their long-standing friendship and shared commitment to peace and stability.
