India and Morocco have taken a major step to strengthen bilateral ties in public administration, signing agreements to promote cooperation in training and capacity building for civil servants.
The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Morocco’s École Nationale Supérieure de l’Administration (ENSA) and two of India’s leading institutions, the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), at a ceremony in Rabat.
The signing was led by ENSA Director General Madam Nada Biaz and the Indian Ambassador to Morocco, Mr. Sanjay Rana, who represented the Indian institutions. Senior officials from NCGG and IIPA, including Dr. Surendrakumar Bagde and Mr. S.N. Tripathi, attended the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Madam Biaz said the agreements reflect a shared commitment to “excellence in public administration, leadership, and governance” and will facilitate joint programmes, leadership initiatives, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
Ambassador Rana described the MoUs as “an important milestone” in the growing India–Morocco partnership. He said the agreements embody the vision of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King Mohammed VI of Morocco to deepen collaboration through capacity building and institutional linkages.
Mr. Tripathi highlighted India’s expertise in managing large, diverse populations and using digital public infrastructure to deliver citizen-focused services, noting that it complements Morocco’s robust administrative frameworks and ongoing reforms.
Dr. Bagde expressed confidence that the partnership would go beyond theoretical cooperation, delivering well-trained public officials, joint research initiatives, and lasting professional networks.
The agreements further strengthen cooperation under India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which has provided training to over 900 Moroccan professionals over the past decade in areas such as IT, cyber security, water management, accounting, and administration.
Officials said the new collaboration will create opportunities for South-South knowledge exchange and the development of future-ready administrative leaders.
The initiative also aims to foster long-term institutional partnerships, enabling Morocco and India to jointly address governance challenges and promote innovation in public service delivery.
ENSA noted that the collaboration could include exchange programmes, workshops, and joint research projects on public administration best practices.
For India, the agreements highlight the country’s growing focus on diplomatic and technical cooperation with African nations.
For Morocco, the partnerships are expected to strengthen the capacity of its civil service and support ongoing reform efforts.
The signing ceremony marks a continuation of nearly a decade of engagement between the two countries under the ITEC programme, reinforcing the commitment to mutual learning and sustainable development.
Observers said the collaboration could serve as a model for similar initiatives between India and other countries in the region, combining practical training with institutional capacity building.
The agreements are expected to be implemented over the coming years, with the first joint programmes and workshops scheduled to begin in 2026.
