'Protectionism is not a solution': Morocco backs Modi’s Voice of the South, seeks bigger role in India’s growth story

Delhi visit signals push for deeper trade, defence, and Arab world linkages

Morocco’s Secretary of State to the Ministry of Industry, Omar Hejira, has called for a reset in ties with India, positioning his country as a strategic bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world.

Speaking to ANI during his visit to New Delhi, Hejira said, “My visit to India is important to improve the relation between India and Morocco.” He stressed Morocco’s unique geography and its free trade agreements with the US, African, and Arab countries as compelling reasons for India to strengthen economic engagement.

Hejira was accompanied by a high-level delegation, signalling Rabat’s seriousness in scaling up ties. “Any delegation from India is welcome to come to Morocco and explore it,” he added.

Morocco’s pitch: From trade balance to food security

Building on Hejira’s outreach, Morocco’s Ambassador to India, Mohamed Maliki, underscored the country’s strategic importance in balancing India’s food and energy needs.

Speaking at the sidelines of the Millennial India International Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture Conference, Maliki said, “We are working on the trade deficit… I’m quite sure that there are many ways of balancing this trade. It will just take place very soon, I’m sure.”

He pointed to fertilisers as a cornerstone of the relationship, describing Morocco as a 'large contributor' to India’s food security. “It’s quite important for India for security,” he told ANI.

Open economies, shared vision

Both Hejira and Maliki stressed that India and Morocco share a common economic outlook. Maliki argued that protectionism offers little long-term value: “I think both Morocco and India are very open countries, very open economies, and then protectionism is not a very long solution because it all depends on the dynamics of the markets.”

Tying this openness to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Voice of the South initiative, the Ambassador noted, “Opportunities between developing countries must be explored… we should see it as an opportunity for us.”

Linking India to the Arab world

Maliki highlighted Morocco’s role as a natural gateway for India into the Arab region. “The main objective is to develop more trade and exchange and business opportunities between the Arab world and India. India is a significant partner, a reliable one, and also boasts a robust economy,” he told ANI.

He added that the Arab world is experiencing strong growth and offers “great necessities and very good opportunities for investments.”

Defence cooperation enters a new phase

Beyond trade and food security, Morocco is also opening the door to deeper defence ties. Maliki revealed that India’s Ministry of Defence had recently inaugurated its first defence facility outside India in Morocco—a milestone he described as a symbol of “trust and high-level strategic partnership.”

This, he suggested, is only the beginning. “There are so many opportunities that have not been exploited… we will need to exploit them by meeting people and helping to do all these things.”