India Deepens Defence Ties With Morocco, Nepal; Indonesia’s Likely BrahMos Deal Adds Momentum

India’s strategic outreach across Africa and the Indo-Pacific gathered significant pace this week as New Delhi held a series of high-level defence engagements with Morocco, Indonesia and Nepal.

The developments signal India’s expanding role as a regional security provider and a rising defence exporter, with a potential BrahMos missile deal with Indonesia emerging as a major milestone.

What was the focus of India–Morocco defence talks?

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan met Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Navy, on Wednesday (November 26,2025) in New Delhi.

The talks reaffirmed the “steady progress” in bilateral defence cooperation, with both sides agreeing to deepen engagements in maritime security, defence exports and capacity building.

The meeting focused on strengthening operational linkages through joint and multilateral exercises, expanding collaboration among defence industries, and boosting information-sharing mechanisms.

India reiterated its long-standing support to the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces through military training, HADR exercises, professional military education and specialised courses.

Rear Admiral Tahin also held talks with Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, with both sides expressing commitment to develop a long-term framework for practical defence cooperation. The engagements underscore India’s growing defence outreach in Africa as part of its wider strategic footprint.

Is there a BrahMos deal breakthrough with Indonesia?

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin co-chaired the third India–Indonesia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday (November 27).

The discussions covered regional security, maritime cooperation, and expanding the two nations’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Crucially, the meeting is a significant follow-up to Jakarta’s likely procurement of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a deal that would mark one of India’s most high-profile defence exports and significantly boost Indonesia’s maritime strike capabilities.

The momentum follows the Indonesian President’s visit to India earlier this year, reaffirming the deepening defence and strategic ties rooted in centuries-old civilisational linkages and India’s Act East policy.

How India–Nepal traditional military partnership is strengthened?

In Kathmandu, Indian Army’s Central Command chief Lt Gen Anindya Sengupta called on Nepal Army Chief Gen Ashok Raj Sigdel on Wednesday (November 26) to discuss ways to enhance defence cooperation.

The visit coincided with the ongoing 19th edition of the India–Nepal joint military exercise Suryakiran in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh region.

The exercise focuses on battalion-level operations in jungle warfare, counter-terrorism in mountainous terrain, and integrated ground–aviation missions, reflecting the high degree of interoperability between the two armies.

Gen Sigdel, who is also an honorary General of the Indian Army, emphasised Nepal’s continued commitment to strengthening military ties.

How is the strategic arc converging?

Taken together, India’s engagements with Morocco, Indonesia and Nepal highlight New Delhi’s widening strategic canvas, from Africa to the Himalayas to Southeast Asia.

With the possible BrahMos deal adding a major export dimension, India is positioning itself as a growing hub for defence partnerships, capability-building, and regional security cooperation.