Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to make an official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco in early July as part of a broader tour that will include stops in five countries across Africa, Latin America, and West Asia, according to The Economic Times. The visit comes in the context of India’s efforts to bolster its leadership within the Global South and to explore the formation of a broad coalition against terrorism following the recent attack in Pahalgam.
The Indian online newspaper reported that Modi's anticipated visit to Morocco—long in preparation but delayed multiple times due to scheduling constraints—will include a meeting with King Mohammed VI in the capital, Rabat. The stop is described as strategically significant, given Morocco’s rising regional and international stature.
The same source highlighted Morocco as an emerging Arab economy with a strong presence in West Africa and Southern Europe, noting that in many respects, it has become a key pillar in North Africa.
Modi's visit to Morocco is expected to mark the beginning of his tour, which will also include Argentina, where New Delhi aims to enhance cooperation in strategic minerals, food security, and defense. He will then head to Brazil to attend the BRICS Summit scheduled for July 6–7 in Rio de Janeiro.
According to The Economic Times, the tour may also include stops in Trinidad and Tobago and Jordan, as India seeks to expand its diplomatic footprint and strengthen its alliances across the Global South amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The visit is expected to provide a strong boost to Moroccan-Indian relations, particularly as Morocco is among the African nations best positioned to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and boasts promising industrial sectors that could make it a key Indian partner on the continent.
India’s Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, recently stated that India enjoys strong relations with the Kingdom of Morocco and that there is vast untapped potential between the two nations. He noted that both sides are working toward fully realizing this potential.
In response to a question from Assahifa English during a recent meeting between India’s Ministry of External Affairs and a delegation of international journalists in New Delhi, Chatterjee stated that India is also aiming to double bilateral trade with Morocco in the coming years, noting that the current trade volume stands at approximately $2.5 billion.
Chatterjee added that India imports large quantities of phosphates and fertilizers from Morocco. "We hope to expand and strengthen cooperation in several other areas such as information technology, pharmaceuticals, the automotive industry, power transmission, chemicals, food products, and hospitality," he said.
When asked by Assahifa English about India’s stance on the Moroccan Sahara issue, Chatterjee stated that India “supports a mutually acceptable solution to this matter in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.” He also expressed India’s support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to the Sahara and his push to advance the political process.
Chatterjee expressed hope that the UN envoy’s efforts would “lead to the resumption of dialogue among all concerned parties and eventually result in a resolution to the issue.” He reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Morocco in the years to come.
He also highlighted India’s efforts to build robust partnerships with Africa, noting that New Delhi seeks to establish cooperation based on mutual respect and people-centered benefits that bridge the continents.
In recent years, India has taken significant steps to strengthen its engagement with Africa, most notably during its G20 presidency, when it championed the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member. This move reflects India’s steadfast support for African aspirations and its commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
India is currently Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade estimated at around $100 billion. Indian companies have invested approximately $75 billion across strategic sectors in Africa, including pharmaceuticals, information technology, automotive, banking, and mineral resources.
