India’s Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, said on Friday that India enjoys strong relations with the Kingdom of Morocco and that there is immense untapped potential between the two countries. He noted that both sides are working actively to harness these opportunities fully.
In response to a question from Assahifa English during a press briefing held by India’s Ministry of External Affairs for an international media delegation in New Delhi, Chatterjee stated that India also aims to double its bilateral trade volume with Morocco over the next few years, highlighting that current trade stands at around $2.5 billion.
The senior Indian official pointed out that India imports large quantities of phosphates and fertilizers from Morocco, adding, “We hope to expand and strengthen our cooperation in several other areas such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, energy transmission lines, chemicals, food, and the hospitality sector.”
Responding to Assahifa English regarding India’s position on the Moroccan Sahara issue, Chatterjee affirmed that “India supports a mutually acceptable solution to the issue in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.” He also confirmed India’s support for the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Western Sahara and his efforts to advance the process.
The Indian diplomat expressed hope that the UN envoy’s efforts would lead to the resumption of dialogue between all concerned parties and eventually result in a resolution of the issue, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening its relations with Morocco in the years ahead.
Chatterjee also spoke during the same meeting about India’s ongoing efforts to build robust relations with the African continent, noting that New Delhi aims to establish partnerships based on mutual respect and shared benefit, aiming to bridge communities and create long-lasting ties.
It is worth noting that India has, in recent years, intensified its engagement with Africa. During its presidency of the G20, it played a pivotal role in integrating the African Union as a permanent member of the group—an indication of its unwavering support for the continent’s aspirations and the African Union’s 2063 Agenda.
India is currently the fourth-largest trading partner of the African continent, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $100 billion. Moreover, Indian companies have invested nearly $75 billion across strategic sectors in Africa, including pharmaceuticals, information technology, automotive industries, banking, and mineral resources.
