Morocco, India sign defense cooperation deal

Morocco and India have signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation this Monday during a meeting between,Morocco’s minister in charge of the administration of national defense,Abdellatif Loudiyi,and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh who is paying a high-level visit to Morocco.

The MoU covers cooperation in the fields of training,exercises and drills,cybersecurity and cyber defense,defense industry,military health,as well as the exchange of experience and expertise in various areas of common interest,the Moroccan National Defense Administration said in a statement.

The deal also provides for the establishment of a joint mechanism for monitoring and coordinating cooperation activities agreed upon by both parties.

The signing ceremony was attended by Gen. Mohamed Berrid,inspector general of the Royal Armed Forces and commander of the southern zone,and Gen. Mohamed Haramou,commander of the Royal Gendarmerie.

The meeting reviewed the historic relations of friendship between Morocco and India,which have gained new momentum since the historic visit King Mohammed VI paid to India in 2015.

The participating officials,who highlighted the high priority both sides attach to their bilateral partnership,discussed regional issues,and explored avenues to strengthen defense cooperation,particularly in the defense industry,the statement said.

The meeting was also an opportunity to highlight the various South-South cooperation and regional integration initiatives launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI,which have made Morocco a significant player for stability and an exporter of peace and security to neighboring countries.

In this context,the officials stressed the importance of forging strategic partnerships between Morocco and India within the framework of South-South cooperation that benefits the development of both countries and of African nations at large.

They also expressed their shared determination to further strengthen these ties that reflect the bonds of friendship,trust,and mutual respect uniting the two countries,the statement said.

During his visit to the Kingdom,the Indian Defense Minister is expected to attend the inauguration of an armored vehicle assembly plant in Berrechid,developed jointly by Indian giant Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR).

The facility,operated under the name Tata Advanced Systems Morocco (TASM),will initially focus on assembling 8×8 wheeled armored vehicles known as WhAP (Wheeled Armored Amphibious Platform),with a local integration rate targeted at between 35% and 50%.