India–Morocco relations have seen remarkable growth in recent years, as reflected by the multiple agreements signed between the two countries across various sectors. Among these is the defense sector, which has witnessed a positive dynamic in bilateral cooperation, with Morocco relying on Indian expertise to build a domestic defense industry. Meanwhile, India views Morocco as a key partner in securing its food supply.
In this context, Samir Bhattacharya from the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), one of India's leading think tanks, confirmed that bilateral ties between New Delhi and Rabat have advanced significantly in recent years across multiple fields. He stressed that Morocco holds a special place in India’s foreign relations strategy.
Speaking to Assahifa English, Bhattacharya, an Associate Fellow at ORF and an expert on African affairs, said that India considers Morocco a vital partner in enhancing its presence and ties across Africa. He noted that New Delhi is open to developing numerous partnerships with Morocco in a wide range of areas.
Highlighting Morocco's strategic importance to India, Bhattacharya pointed out that the Kingdom plays a major role in India's food security, being the country’s primary supplier of fertilizers, which are critical for agricultural production.
Bhattacharya further anticipated a continued rise in India–Morocco cooperation, emphasizing that Morocco’s strategic geographic location—as a gateway to both Africa and Europe—along with its political and social stability, makes it an attractive partner for India’s long-term strategic engagement.
He also revealed that ORF has dedicated several of its research studies to Morocco and actively collaborates with the Moroccan think tank Policy Center for the New South. According to him, this research cooperation has been ongoing for years and includes expert exchanges and joint bilateral programs.
It is worth noting that the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) was established in 1990, during a period of major economic and political transformation in India, as the country opened up to the global economic system.
According to the foundation’s official description, ORF was founded in response to a pressing need for an independent platform that could critically analyze the challenges facing India and propose effective policy solutions. It brought together some of the country’s most prominent economists and policymakers to shape India’s reform agenda.
Over the past three decades, ORF has become a central player in shaping India’s interaction with the world by building political and intellectual consensus around key strategic, developmental, environmental, and digital issues. It seeks to broaden political discourse by incorporating diverse voices and backgrounds, while providing decision-makers with in-depth and independent policy analysis. ORF also invests in empowering a new generation of thinkers, cementing India’s role as a global intellectual force.
