King Mohammed VI, strategic leader for India in Africa

Relations between India and Morocco go back to the 14thcentury when the famous traveler and writer from Tangier, IbnBatuta travelled to India. In modern history, India was active in the UN supporting the Moroccan freedom movement and recognized Morocco on June 20, 1956 when it became independent of the protectoratearrangements with France. Diplomatic Missions were established in 1957.

India is one of the major markets for Moroccan phosphate and its derivatives.Other main items of export to India are metallic ores and metal scrap, semi-finishedproducts and inorganic chemicals. The main items of India’s exports to Morocco arecotton yarn, synthetic fiber, transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, agriculturalimplements, chemicals, spices and manufactured metals.

Among other business activities, TATA Motors has a plant in Casablanca for manufacturing bus bodies. Ranbaxy has set up its own manufacturing plant for production of medicines in Casablanca. PepsiCo India has acquired the beverage maker’s entire franchise bottling operations in Morocco. Indian industry and business associations CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM have institutional arrangements with Moroccan industry and business associations. A number of trade delegations from various industry and export promotion councils of India, such as ASSOCHAM,CAPEXIL, TEXPROCIL and EEPC have been visiting Morocco periodically. During these visits, a number of trade promotion activities such as expositions, buyer-seller meets, etc., are organized.

An editorial published in Hans India last may that Morocco “is led by a modernist, young monarch who has done a lot to instill a sense of confidence in him by the people of Morocco and the region. King Mohammed VI has undertaken path-breaking political and social reforms, begun by his visionary father, King Hassan II, and has been recognised for his efforts to resolve regional crises and play a useful mediatory role.”