Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will undertake a two-day official visit to Morocco from September 22-23, when the Tata Advanced Systems Maroc’s new manufacturing facility for the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8 at Berrechid will be inaugurated, officials said.

It will mark the inauguration of India's first overseas defence factory.

According to reports, he will visit the nation at the invitation of the Minister Delegate of National Defence of Morocco Abdeltif Loudiyi.

This will mark the first-ever visit of the Defence Minister to the North African nation, underscoring the growing strategic convergence between India and Morocco.

Tata Advanced Systems facility

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 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Bilateral meetings

 During the visit, Singh will hold a bilateral meeting with  Loudiyi to strengthen defence, strategic and industry cooperation, read the statement issued by the Indian governmentt.

He will also call on Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, to explore avenues for industrial collaboration.

Rajnath Singh will also interact with the vibrant Indian community in Rabat during his visit.

Expected MoU signing

 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," read a government statement.

Indian Navy ships have been making regular port calls at Casablanca in recent years, and this agreement will further consolidate such ties.

 Ties between India and Morocco have gained momentum since King Mohammed VI’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 in India.

"The upcoming visit is expected to add fresh energy to this partnership, particularly in the defence and strategic sectors," read the statement.