Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada is on an official visit to Morocco from August 24 to 25, with India-Morocco trade, investment and wider economic cooperation high on the agenda.
Prasada will co-chair the 7th Session of the India-Morocco Joint Commission with Omar Hejira, Morocco’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade in charge of Foreign Trade. The meeting is expected to review existing areas of bilateral economic cooperation and explore opportunities to diversify trade and improve market access.
The discussions are likely to cover a broad range of sectors, including trade, fertilizer production and supply, investment, industrial cooperation, customs, agriculture, food safety, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, mining, renewable energy, digital transformation, transport and logistics. Cooperation in AYUSH, tourism, education and skill development is also expected to feature in the talks.
Food Safety Cooperation
A key outcome expected during the Joint Commission meeting is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on food safety between Morocco’s National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The proposed agreement is aimed at facilitating the exchange of information on the safety and quality of imported food products. It is also expected to encourage cooperation between food-testing laboratories and facilitate the sharing of expertise on analytical methods.
The agreement would provide scope for technical exchanges covering import procedures, quality-control operations, sampling, testing, packaging and labelling.
Cultural Cooperation
India and Morocco are also expected to sign a Cultural Exchange Programme covering the period from 2026 to 2030.
The programme is intended to strengthen cultural ties through exchanges of artists and professionals, participation in festivals and exhibitions, cooperation in heritage conservation and closer institutional links between museums, libraries and archival organisations.
Bilateral Trade Nears $4 Billion
India and Morocco have maintained longstanding economic ties, with bilateral merchandise trade reaching around $4 billion in 2025.
India’s major exports to Morocco include refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, synthetic textiles, food products and spices. Morocco, meanwhile, is an important source of phosphates and fertilizers for India.
The focus on fertilizers assumes particular importance given their significance for India’s agricultural sector and food security. Expanding cooperation in fertilizer production and supply is therefore expected to be an important component of the economic discussions.
Business Community Engagement
During his visit, Prasada is also scheduled to hold bilateral and high-level meetings with senior Moroccan leaders. He will participate in the India-Morocco Joint Business Forum and interact with business representatives in Rabat.
The engagements are expected to focus on identifying opportunities for new investments, partnerships, joint ventures and greater business-to-business cooperation.
The two countries are also looking to expand their economic relationship beyond traditional trade areas, with sectors such as renewable energy, digital transformation, healthcare, logistics and industrial cooperation offering potential for deeper engagement.
70 Years of Diplomatic Ties
The visit comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Morocco in 2027. Both countries are expected to use the milestone to further strengthen their longstanding partnership.
For India, Morocco also offers an important gateway to markets in Africa and beyond, while closer economic engagement could provide Moroccan businesses with greater access to the Indian market.
The August 24–25 visit is therefore expected to strengthen the institutional framework for bilateral economic cooperation and provide fresh momentum to trade, investment, industrial partnerships and business ties between the two countries.
