The 7th session of the Morocco-India Joint Commission was held on Monday in Rabat, with the aim of strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and opening up new avenues for partnership, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Omar Hejira stressed that the meeting marked a new step in strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between Morocco and India, with the objective of taking them to broader and more ambitious horizons.
Mr. Hejira said that the session was being held in line with the High Royal Directives calling for the consolidation of the Kingdom’s strategic partnerships and the diversification of their prospects, particularly with the Asian continent.
He recalled that Moroccan-Indian relations, established in 1993, are based on strong foundations of friendship and mutual respect, as well as a convergence of views on a number of international issues.
According to him, these relations have gained sustained momentum since His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s visit to India in 2015, reflecting the shared determination to elevate them to the level of a multidimensional strategic partnership.
Morocco, a gateway to African and European markets
Mr. Hejira reaffirmed Morocco’s determination to further consolidate its relations with India and open up new avenues for cooperation in pursuit of their shared interests.
He also highlighted the Kingdom’s assets, particularly its strategic geographical position, developed infrastructure and network of free trade agreements with several global markets.
These advantages make Morocco a preferred platform for Indian companies seeking access, in particular, to African and European markets.
Towards doubling bilateral trade
For his part, India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, as well as Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, affirmed India’s determination to further strengthen its partnership with the Kingdom.
He noted that trade between the two countries reached approximately $4 billion in 2025–2026, including nearly $1.6 billion in Indian exports to Morocco and around $2.89 billion in Moroccan exports to India.
Against this backdrop, Mr. Prasada proposed aiming to double bilateral trade over the next five years, while working to diversify its structure, reduce non-tariff barriers and facilitate access to each other’s respective markets.
The Indian official also proposed establishing a joint working group dedicated to bilateral trade, strengthening exchanges between businesses in the two countries and exploring the possibility of concluding a preferential trade agreement.
Opportunities in industry and renewable energy
Mr. Jitin Prasada also identified several sectors that could drive investment and industrial cooperation between Morocco and India, particularly automotive, electrical industries and renewable energy.
He called for stronger partnerships in the fertilizer sector, the development of joint investments and greater participation by Indian companies in infrastructure projects in Morocco, particularly in roads, railways, energy, water and digital connectivity.
The Indian minister also advocated greater involvement of the private sector through the development of business partnerships, investments and joint ventures.
On the occasion, he invited a high-level Moroccan delegation to participate in the Partnership Summit 2026, scheduled for November 12 and 13 in Visakhapatnam, India.
