Rajnath Singh to visit Morocco on Sept 21-23, to inaugurate India’s first overseas defence manufacturing unit

Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be visiting Morocco on September 21-23, marking his first-ever visit to the North African nation. Singh will be visiting the nation at the invitation of the Minister Delegate of National Defence of Morocco, Abdeltif Loudiyi.

During his visit to Morocco, he will also be attending the inauguration of Tata Advanced Systems Maroc's new manufacturing facility at Berrechid, dedicated to producing the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8.

On his official X account, he said that this plant represents the first Indian defence manufacturing facility on the African continent, and it is a significant milestone under India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, showcasing the expanding global reach of India's defence industry, the release stated.

"A key highlight of the visit will be the inauguration of Tata Advanced Systems Maroc’s new manufacturing facility for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8 at Berrechid. This facility is the first-ever Indian defence manufacturing plant in Africa, which marks an important milestone that reflects the growing global footprint of India’s defence industry. I will also interact with the Indian community in Rabat.," Singh said in an X post.

Apart from interacting with the Indian community in Rabat, Singh will also be engaging in bilateral discussions with Loudiyi for the enhancement of defence cooperation, strategic partnerships, and industrial collaboration between the two countries.

The visit will also include a meeting with Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, aimed at exploring further avenues for industrial ties.

Additionally, Rajnath Singh will connect with the Indian diaspora in Rabat, strengthening people-to-people relations.

"Both sides are also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Defence. The MoU will provide an institutional framework to expand and deepen bilateral defence engagement, including exchanges, training, and industrial linkages. Indian Navy ships have been making regular port calls at Casablanca in recent years, and this agreement will further consolidate such ties," the official release by the Ministry of Defence added.

India-Morocco relations have seen considerable progress since King Mohammed VI met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. This upcoming visit is poised to inject new momentum into the bilateral relationship, particularly in defence and strategic sectors, underscoring India's growing footprint in Africa and its commitment to expanding global partnerships.

(With inputs from ANI)