Morocco-India - Bilateral Relations on a high

Historically, relations between Morocco and India date back to the 14th century, when Ibn Battuta traveled to and settled in India for several years. His writings on medieval Indian society serve as a source of information regarding India's history. According to some historians, relations between the two countries can be traced back even further to the 12th century, when the Moroccan Abu Al-Barakat Yussuf Al-Barbari introduced Islam to the Maldives.

India recognized Morocco's independence on June 20, 1956, and diplomatic relations were established in 1957. Over the years, the relationship between the two countries has been characterized by friendship and constant evolution.

Political Relations

Introduction

After ascending the Throne, His Majesty the King-may God assist Him-chose India for His first visit to Asia in 2001. This Royal Visit was marked by a determination to give fresh impetus to strengthening ties between the two countries. A second Royal Visit in October 2015-undertaken as part of Morocco's participation in the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III)-was highlighted by the Royal Speech delivered in New Delhi and a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The historic visit to India by His Majesty the King of Morocco in 2015 and His memorable meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continue to shape bilateral relations between Morocco and India; it was a visit during which the two leaders decided to elevate their bilateral ties to the level of a Strategic Partnership. The letter addressed by His Majesty the King to the Indian Prime Minister in 2018-which cited new areas of cooperation such as intelligence, the space industry, and cybercrime-serves as a genuine roadmap for further developing Moroccan-Indian relations.

Regular talks between the Foreign Ministers of Morocco and India:

The Foreign Ministers of Morocco and India have held several telephone conversations as part of consultations on various international issues and on coordination within multilateral and regional bodies.

On the eve of the last BRICS summit, Ministers Nasser Bourita and Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held a telephone conversation on August 20, 2023. During the call, they engaged in an in-depth exchange regarding regional and international issues and welcomed the level attained by the Strategic Partnership between the two countries-established by His Majesty the King (may God assist Him) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Royal Visit to India in November 2015-as well as the opportunities and mechanisms aimed at elevating bilateral relations to an even more ambitious level.

In 2020, a year marked by the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two foreign ministers held a meeting via videoconference on October 22, 2020. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss, with great interest, ways and means of strengthening their multifaceted bilateral relations and to reaffirm the historic ties that have existed between Morocco and India for several decades.

Indian Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar commended the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI (may God assist Him), particularly in Africa. He also recalled the visit of his predecessor, the late Sushma Swaraj, to Rabat in February 2019, and that of the Moroccan Minister of Industry, Trade, and Green and Digital Economy, Mr. Moulay Hafid Elalamy, to New Delhi in March 2019, during which the 6th session of the Moroccan-Indian Joint Commission took place.

National Issue

India's position regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue has evolved significantly this time, even compared to the visit of the late Sushma Swaraj to Rabat in February 2019-during which the idea of issuing a joint press release was abandoned at the last minute due to the Indian side's insistence on not mentioning the Sahara issue.

Following the virtual meeting between the Moroccan and Indian foreign ministers in October 2020, Dr. S. Jaishankar agreed to include the phrase "noted the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco in this direction" in the paragraph concerning the Sahara issue within the press release to be issued by his ministry. Furthermore, the term "Western Sahara" was removed from the initial draft of the statement and simply replaced with "the Sahara issue."

During the aforementioned virtual meeting, the Indian Minister-particularly when discussing Africa-deliberately used the expression "54 African countries" on two occasions; this reaffirms, at the highest level of Indian diplomacy, India's firm position regarding...

...separatists-enemies of the Kingdom-and demonstrates India's readiness to defend Morocco's position on this issue, particularly in multilateral forums such as the India-Africa Forum Summit.

Exchange of visits:

• Indian Ministers of External Affairs Salman Khurshid and Smt. Sushma Swaraj visited Morocco in 2014 and 2019, respectively.
• Other visits by Indian Ministers to Morocco: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan (Agriculture, July 5-8, 2015), Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman (Commerce and Industry; May 25-26, 2017, for the 5th Morocco-India Joint Commission), Shri Suresh Prabhu (Commerce and Industry; October 9-10, 2017), and Shri P.P. Chaudhary (Justice; April 1-5, 2018).
• Visits by Indian Vice-Presidents to Morocco: Dr. Zakir Hussain in 1967, Shri K.R. Narayanan in 1993, and Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari from May 30 to June 2, 2016.
• Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999.
• Visit by India's Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, from September 21 to 24, 2025, for the inauguration of an Indian defense equipment manufacturing facility.
• Visit by Mr. Omar Hejira, Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Commerce in charge of Foreign Trade, to India from September 23 to 26, 2025, to participate in the 4th edition of the "World Food India" global food exhibition. The Secretary of State led a high-level economic mission, accompanied by a delegation comprising representatives from the private sector and various industrial federations operating in the fields of renewable energy, agriculture, chemicals and petrochemicals, transport and logistics, and the pharmaceutical industry.
• Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South) at the Ministry of External Affairs, visited the Kingdom of Morocco from November 18 to 21, 2025, as part of regular bilateral consultations between India and Morocco.

Institutional Mechanisms

Joint Commissions:

• The 6th session of the Morocco-India Joint Commission was held on March 20, 2019, in New Delhi. Co-chaired on the Moroccan side by the Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, Mr. Moulay Hafid Elalamy, and on the Indian side by the Minister of State for Commerce, Industry and Food, Mr. Chhotu Ram Chaudhary, this session focused on reviewing various issues related to industry, agriculture, tourism, marine fisheries, rail transport, rural development, health, the pharmaceutical industry, telemedicine, water and forests, energy, mining, sustainable development, higher education, and scientific research. Both parties also emphasized the need to streamline business visa procedures to promote economic activity between the two countries.

Political consultations:

• The 5th session of political consultations took place in Rabat on November 24, 2022. It was co-chaired on the Moroccan side by the Ambassador and Director of Asian and Oceanian Affairs, Mr. Abdelkader El Ansari, and on the Indian side by the Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa & Overseas Indian Affairs), Mr. Ausaf Sayeed. This session provided an opportunity to review issues related to the Morocco-India Strategic Partnership and the National Cause, as well as cooperation in economic, parliamentary, cultural, consular, security, and defense matters, and coordination within multilateral forums and the framework of the partnership with Africa.
• The 4th session of Morocco-India political consultations took place in New Delhi on April 24 and 25, 2017, co-chaired on the Moroccan side by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and on the Indian side by the Secretary (Economic Relations) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Diplomatic training:

• Morocco proposed organizing a training program through the Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies (AMED) for Indian diplomats as part of cooperation in the field of training. This proposal has yet to be implemented.
• Participation of an official from the Asian Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates (MAECAMRE) in a training session at the Indian diplomatic academy, the "Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service," in October 2022.

d. Scientific and technical training:

• Training sessions organized by the Indian side for Moroccan officials under the "Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation" (ITEC) program.

Economic and Trade Relations

Introduction:

Morocco and India began their economic cooperation three years after establishing diplomatic relations by concluding a trade agreement in 1960. Their bilateral trade has grown significantly, reaching an annual average of approximately US$1.5 billion.

...over the last decade. The year 2022 alone saw a record level of bilateral trade amounting to 41,238,069,294 DH.

India has long been a major market for Moroccan phosphates and phosphate derivatives. Meanwhile, Indian exports to Morocco have also seen growth in recent years.

Phosphate rock is imported into India from Morocco primarily by Paradeep Phosphate Ltd (PPL), a company controlled by ZuariMaroc Phosphate Ltd (ZMPL)-a joint venture between Chambal Fertilisers, Zuari Fertilizers, and the OCP Group. Additionally, Chambal Fertilisers and Tata Chemicals operate a joint venture with OCP-Indo Maroc Phosphore SA (IMACID)-for the production of phosphoric acid.

Morocco has become increasingly prominent on the radar of the Indian business community-and Indian multinationals in particular-who frequently highlight its strategic geographical location, political and economic stability, favorable business climate, and policies designed to welcome and support investors. By way of illustration, the number of Indian companies established in the Kingdom has risen from 12 in 2016 to 41 today.

• Key products exported by Morocco: Phosphoric acid; fertilizers; calcium phosphates; aluminum scrap; copper scrap; cast iron/iron/steel scrap; seeds; electronic components; paper and cardboard for recycling; zinc scrap; lead ores and slag.
• Key products imported by Morocco: Mineral fuels/oils; electronic devices; passenger cars; medicines; mechanical machinery and equipment; coffee; cotton yarn; chemical products; synthetic fibers; plastics; cast iron tubes and pipes; insecticides; stone products; Unwrought aluminum; rice.
• Major Indian companies present in Morocco: IMACID (JV between Birla-Tata and OCP Group), Onshore Construction, Sunpharma, CIPLA, Varun Beverages (PEPSI), Tata Motors, Sterling and Wilson, Larsen and Toubro, Sumilon, Furnace Fabrica, Satguru Travels, Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd. (GFL), Indore (Optic Fibre), Tejas Network, Varroc Lighting Systems India Pvt. Ltd, Oberoi Group, IM Gears, HCL Technologies, Samta Mines.
• Major Indian companies planning to establish operations in Morocco: Adani Group, AVAADA Welspun, Titagarh Group, HYT Engineering, Apollo Hospitals, Janatha Group, Renew Power.
• Major Indian companies with branches in Morocco: Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Shakti Pump, Fieldking, Kirloskar, Sonalika, Nandan Jain (subsidiary of Jain Irrigation), and Shaktiman.

Appointment of an Honorary Consul of Morocco in Bangalore, Karnataka:

India and Morocco have agreed to the official appointment of Mr. Pratap Kamath as Honorary Consul of Morocco in Bangalore. The official opening of the Honorary Consulate of Morocco in Bangalore will take place shortly, following the completion of a few administrative formalities.

"Morocco Now" Roadshow in India:

• Following the official launch of the "Morocco Now" brand at Expo 2020 Dubai in October 2021, the Embassy invited AMDIE to make India the first phase of its international communication campaign for the brand. This led to the organization of a roadshow in India from November 26 to 30, 2021, featuring a delegation led by the former Director General of AMDIE, Mr. Youssef El Bari. o            The roadshow program included stops in Mumbai and Bangalore, a reception and a major press conference launching the "Morocco Now" brand, as well as meetings with Indian officials and business leaders representing the IT, automotive, textile, agri-food, energy and mining, and defense sectors.
• The Moroccan delegation also met with ministers from the State of Karnataka responsible for Law and Parliamentary Affairs; Irrigation; Higher Education, IT, Science and Technology, and Electronics; and Entrepreneurship and Skills Development.

Information Technology Center of Excellence:

A Center of Excellence was established at the Casablanca Technopark as part of the IAFS-II development program. It is the result of a collaboration between India's Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Morocco's INPT.

Telemedicine:

During the December 2017 visit to India by Dr. Abdelkader Amara-then Minister of Equipment, Transport, Logistics, and Water-a cooperation MoU was signed between the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech and the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). Telemedicine connectivity was launched simultaneously at both healthcare institutions on January 15, 2018.

Work program in the agriculture (2018-2020):

A 2018-2020 work program was signed in May 2018 between the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, on the one hand, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, on the other. This program falls within the framework of implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two countries regarding agricultural education and research.

Tourism:

A project to establish an ONMT (Moroccan National Tourism Office) representative office in India remains to be realized, in accordance with Article X of the tourism cooperation agreement signed between Morocco and India in 1999.

Other Cooperation Initiatives:

Signing in 2019 of a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the simplification of the mutual recognition of degrees awarded by accredited educational institutions in Morocco and India, with the aim of encouraging student and faculty mobility between the two countries and facilitating labor market entry for nationals of both countries.

• Inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group established under the MoU on water resources cooperation, held in New Delhi on July 3, 2018.
• First meeting of the Joint Working Group established under the MoU on health cooperation, held in New Delhi on July 19, 2018.
• Inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group established under the MoU on scientific research and technology cooperation between India's CSIR and Morocco's CNRST, held in India from October 7 to 11, 2018.
• Inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group established under the MoU on mining and geology cooperation, held in New Delhi on February 22, 2019.

II. Cultural Relations:

• A Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) was signed between Morocco and India in March 2016, covering the 2016-2019 period.
• A new cultural cooperation programme between the two countries for the 2022-2025 period is yet to be signed.
• There is mutual interest in the cultural richness of both countries, notably the long-standing popularity of Indian cinema among Moroccans and the significant presence of Indian films at the Marrakech International Film Festival, including the November 2022 edition.
• Participation of the national women's under-17 (U17) football team in the World Cup hosted by India from October 11 to 30, 2022.
• Over the past three years, various artists representing diverse Indian musical and dance genres have visited Morocco to participate in cultural events; these include Ranveer Singh, Kathak maestro Vaswati Misra, Bharatanatyam maestro Chitra Chandrasekhar Dasarathy, Sitar maestro Surmani Agni Verma, Shri Ihsan Hussain and his "Qawwali" group, Odissi maestro Janhabi Behera, poet Javed Akhtar, maestro Swapna Datar, Sarod maestro Abhisek Lahiri, and Veena maestro Saraswati Rajagopalan.
• Moroccan artists have also visited India, such as Saad Lamjared and the calligrapher and singer Aziz Ozouss, who participated in the 8th edition of the International Jazz Festival in New Delhi.