Skip to main content

India, Morocco plan to sign defence MoU riding on emerging strategic partnership

 India and Morocco plan to sign MoU on defence cooperation to elevate ties to the next level riding on emerging strategic partnership and expansion in ties over the last few years.

(Representative image)

This was decided when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had a virtual meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita on Thursday.

The Ministers agreed that both sides should expedite the finalisation of the MOU on defence cooperation and the Cultural Exchange Programme so that these can be signed on an early date.

Both sides agreed that bilateral relations have acquired considerable depth and vitality following the landmark visit of His Majesty Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco in October 2015 for the third India-Africa Forum Summit. Exchange of 23 Ministerial visits and conclusion of over 40 MoUs and Agreements in a range of sectors such as IT, education, culture, agriculture, mutual legal assistance, extradition, etc. since then are a testament to the strong desire on the part of both sides to take bilateral ties to a higher plane.

Positively assessing the growth in trade and investment relations, the Ministers noted, in particular, the close cooperation in fertilizers, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and ICT sectors, officials said. They further agreed that the MOUs/ Agreements concluded in the last two years in the fields of cyber security, counter terrorism and space provide strong frameworks for building the foundation of a strong and comprehensive relationship, officials added.

They discussed respective national approaches to deal with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Jaishankar thanked Bourita for the Moroccan Government’s support for the repatriation of Indian nationals stranded in Morocco due to the suspension of international flights in the wake of the pandemic. Bourita, in turn, conveyed his Government’s appreciation for India’s facilitation of commercial exports of medicines during this critical time.

The two Ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on regional and global issues, including the UN reforms, international fight against terrorism, climate change, renewable energy and cooperation under the India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) mechanism.

Responding to Bourita’s briefing on the developments in Libya, including at the recent intra-Libyan dialogue in Bouznika, EAM commended Morocco’s resolute and constructive engagement with all the Libyan parties since the beginning of the crisis, and its contribution to the UN efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution through a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people while preserving the country’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Bourita congratulated India on its election to the non-permanent seat of the UNSC for the term 2021-2022 and also conveyed the Moroccan Government’s support for India’s permanent membership in an extended United Nations Security Council.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing close coordination between the two countries at various international organizations, including the United Nations.

Jaishankar expressed India’s support to the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General aimed at achieving a realistic, lasting, mutually negotiated and acceptable political solution to the Sahara issue and noted the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco in this direction.

    Source



Labels:
Location: bendre layout, Gubbi cross, DR Bendre Layout, Kothanur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560077, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Explained: What is Army Aviation Corps, the youngest Corps of the Indian Army

A look at the Army Aviation Corps’ history and its relevance in modern day battlefields, including in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism (CI-CT) operations. Representative Image The Army Aviation Corps (AAC), the youngest Corps of the Indian Army, celebrated its 35th Corps Day on November 1. We take a look at the arm that adds an air dimension to the Army’s capabilities, its history, and its relevance in modern day battlefields, including Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism (CI-CT) operations. The roots of Army Aviation Corps The origin of the AAC can be traced back to the raising of the Army Aviation wing of the Royal Air Force in India in 1942, and the subsequent formation of the first Indian Air Observation Post in August 1947. The Air Observation Post units primarily acted as artillery spotters – which are the elements that help the artillery in directing the fire and also giving air support to ground forces. In the wars of 1965 and 1971, the Air Observation Post helicop...
Post a Comment
Read more

Explained: India-US defence deals - BECA, LEMOA & COMCASA

At 2+2 meeting next week, the two countries will look to push intelligence sharing pact BECA . With key deals LEMOA and COMCASA already signed, what does it mean for defence, particularly in light of LAC standoff? India and US have signed the LEMOA in 2016, COMCASA in 2018 and BECA is scheduled for the third 2+2 ministerial meeting (on November 3rd) India and the US are preparing for the third 2+2 ministerial meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh , and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark T Esper in New Delhi on October 26-27. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E Biegun visited India last week to lay the groundwork for the high-level visits 2+2 in 2018. One of the items on the agenda will be the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) — a pact with deep military implications. In the last two meetings, agreements known as LEMOA and COMCASA were signed; now, with BECA, these have been dubbed the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

India's S-400, Nuke Subs, Rafales pose a serious threat to Pak - FM Qureshi

India’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems, via a deal signed last year and worth $5.43 billion, has unnerved Pakistan, with Foreign Minister Shah Mohammed Qureshi describing the S-400s as destabilising weapon systems which could affect the region's strategic stability. Delivery of the first S-400 system is likely to take place in 2020. Expressing his apprehension about the arms purchase by India, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mohammed Qureshi has called on global powers to be "mindful" of their responsibility in terms of arms supplies to the region. "The introduction of new destabilising weapon systems, such as the S-400 anti-ballistic missile system, could further accentuate challenges to strategic stability. They can encourage a misadventure by an adversary, under a false sense of security," FM Shah Mohammed Qureshi said on Wednesday in Islamabad. Last October, India inked a $5.43 billion defence contract with Russia to purchase of five S-400 air...
Post a Comment
Read more