India-Morocco Defence Pact: Counter-Terrorism To Maritime Security – Boost To Military Cooperation?

In a landmark move, India and Morocco signed a defence cooperation agreement on Monday (September 22, 2025) after talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Moroccan counterpart Abdeltif Loudiyi. The pact aims to expand collaboration in counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, and peacekeeping operations.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes an institutional framework to strengthen military engagement through exchanges, training, and industrial partnerships. Officials noted that the agreement paves the way for joint exercises, capacity building, and closer defence industry cooperation.

Singh also announced the opening of a new Defence Wing at the Embassy of India in Rabat. He also highlighted the maturity of India’s defence industry and its cutting-edge capabilities, including drone and counter-drone technologies, assuring the Moroccan side that Indian companies are well-positioned to meet the requirements of Morocco’s defence forces.

Rajnath Singh’s Morocco visit: Why is it significant?

Rajnath Singh’s trip marks the first-ever visit by an Indian defence minister to Morocco, underscoring the growing convergence of strategic interests between the two nations. During his meeting, Singh announced the opening of a new defence wing at the Indian Embassy in Rabat to accelerate future cooperation.

Highlighting India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities, Singh assured Morocco that Indian companies can provide advanced solutions, including drone and counter-drone technologies. This aligns with Morocco’s push to modernize its defence forces and expand strategic partnerships.

What role will joint exercises and training play?

Both ministers emphasized the importance of military exchanges and training programmes. They also agreed to explore opportunities for co-development and co-production of defence technologies, boosting interoperability and industry linkages.

Recognizing the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and Atlantic corridors, India and Morocco stressed enhanced naval cooperation. They also underlined the need for stronger multilateral collaboration to address regional and global security challenges.

Moreover, Singh extended an invitation to Abdeltif Loudiyi to visit India for further discussions. The ministry described the agreement as a milestone in bilateral ties, building on the momentum since King Mohammed VI’s 2015 meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

PoK to be part of India soon?

Addressing the Indian community in Morocco, defence minister Singh exuded confidence that India will regain control of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) peacefully. Suggesting so, he noted that people in the region are seeking liberation from the current administration. “PoK will be ours on its own. Demands have started being made in PoK, you must have heard sloganeering.”

Singh stated that he had repeated the same five years ago during an Indian Army programme in Jammu and Kashmir. “I was addressing the Indian Army at a program in Kashmir Valley five years ago, I had then said that we will not need to attack and capture PoK, it is anyway ours; PoK itself will say, ‘Main bhi Bharat Hoon’. That day will come.”

Notably, Singh’s comments come around 5 months after India’s retaliatory strikes – Operation Sindoor – on terror bases in Pakistan and PoK.