RABAT: Visit of Secretary (South) to the Kingdom of Morocco

RABAT: Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India paid a visit to the Kingdom of Morocco from 18- 21 November 2025 for regular bilateral consultations between India and Morocco, to strengthen bilateral cooperation and build momentum towards high-level engagements.

Secretary (South) and Ambassador, Director General of International Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates H.E. Mr. Fouad Yazough held wide ranging discussions on the full gamut of bilateral relations, including political dialogue, economic and trade partnership, defence and security cooperation, cultural ties, development partnership, and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting was also attended by Director Mr. Omar Kadiri and Head of Asia Division, Ms. Nezha Riki as well as the Ambassador of India to Morocco, Shri Sanjay Rana. Both sides agreed to maintain regular exchanges between the Ministries and to hold the next round of the Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

Secretary (South) called on H.E. Mr. Mohammed Mehdi, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, and discussed the preparations for commemorating the 70th anniversary of establishment of their diplomatic relations during 2026-27 through joint events, including cultural festivals, youth exchanges, academic collaborations, and reciprocal cultural weeks in India and Morocco. Minister Bensaid highlighted the impressive growth of Morocco’s gaming and digital creative industries and invited Indian companies to explore investment and partnership opportunities, which Secretary (South) welcomed. Secretary (South) also emphasized the strong potential for cooperation in youth initiatives, cultural innovation, and creative economy sectors.

Secretary (South) called on H.E. Ms. Leila Benali, Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, and discussed opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, including through the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Both sides recognized strong complementarities in their respective energy-transition strategies and agreed to enhance collaboration in developing sustainable mining value chains, private-sector engagement, and capacity-building, including under India’s ITEC program. Secretary (South) invited Minister Benali to visit India for the forthcoming India Energy Week to be held in Goa during January 2026.

Secretary (South) met with H.E. Mr. Omar Hjira, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry & Trade, and reviewed bilateral trade and commercial cooperation. They discussed deepening trade exchanges, as well as opportunities in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, IT services, textiles, and agro-processing. Secretary (South) also met Mr. Mostafa Terrab, Chairman and CEO of OCP Group, a longstanding partner for India in fertilizers and phosphate supply, and discussed strengthening long-term strategic supply arrangements, potential joint ventures in fertilizer supply chain, cooperation in sustainable agriculture and soil health, and food-security cooperation.

India and Morocco enjoy a long-standing and friendly partnership, which has gained significant momentum since the visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to India in 2015, during which he met with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. Bilateral relations have expanded across sectors, with more than 40 bilateral agreements currently in force, and growing cooperation in strategic areas, including cooperation in defence production. India and Morocco plan to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 2027 through a comprehensive programme of events and exchanges.

The visit of Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) to Morocco successfully reaffirmed the enduring friendship between India and the Kingdom of Morocco based on shared values and mutual respect and agreed to maintain the positive momentum in their relations by ensuring regular, high-level contacts and consultations. Both sides reiterated their firm commitment to further deepening their partnership and expanding cooperation across various areas of mutual interest, including trade, technology, tourism, and people to people exchanges.