India made a bold move to position itself as a major player in the global arms trade by showcasing its booming domestic defense sector on Wednesday in front of army chiefs and officials from 31 African countries.

India, the largest arms importer in the world, has made significant investments in its defense industry in an effort to lessen its reliance on imports, notably those from Russia.

According to AFP, among the African nations represented at the meeting were Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa.

Officials claim that India’s sales pitch in Africa is predominantly defensive in character and features a variety of products, including armored vehicles, radars, and telecommunications technology.

A variety of state-of-the-art military tools, including artillery, drones, and helicopters made in India were on display at the exhibition, which was hosted in Pune. With commandos employing armoured vehicles, robots that can disarm bombs, and commandos abseiling from helicopters, India’s simulated operation demonstrated the capabilities of its equipment. Assault rifles, artillery shells, and missile model exhibitions were also on display.

“We are making equipment which is affordable and reliable,” said retired Indian army general VG Patankar, speaking to AFP at the event.

India’s efforts to enhance its military exports are especially targeted at developing countries who cannot afford more expensive equipment supplied in the West. India wants to increase its presence on the continent, where less than 20% of its weaponry exports now go. In the upcoming years, the nation wants to increase its annual exports of guns from roughly $1.7 billion to $5 billion.

The launch of India’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility in February and the successful test-firing of a ballistic missile from its first domestic nuclear-powered submarine are just two examples of how India’s recent investments in its defense sector have produced outstanding results. India’s military hardware on show at the event demonstrates the nation’s commitment to becoming a significant global arms exporter while enhancing its own defense capabilities.

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A week-long promotional tour in India by a Moroccan group led by Mohcine Jazouli, Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Autonomy, and Assessment of Public Vehicles, ended with the goal of showcasing the Moroccan offer and luring investments from Indian businesses.

It encompassed the cities of Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi.

Meetings with several executives of Indian firms were part of the promotional tour, which was put together by the Moroccan Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Exports in collaboration with the Moroccan Embassy in India. The meetings were held to promote investment opportunities in the Kingdom and discuss ways to expand their commercial activity.

Given that India has one of the world’s five largest economies and has shown interest in making investments in the Kingdom of Morocco over the past several years by focusing on the African, European, and American markets, the Kingdom is banking on India to become a significant economic partner for it.

The Indian delegation also met with a number of government representatives, including Piyush Goyal, the minister of trade and industry. Goyal expressed his admiration for what Morocco has accomplished in terms of creating an infrastructure and business climate that is conducive to investment while also reiterating that India is keen to promote investment in the Kingdom.

The development of cooperation with India in the areas of information technology, fertilizers, the automobile industry, and renewable energies is what Rabat is mostly banking on. In the upcoming months, a trip to Morocco is anticipated by the Indian Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

The most notable Moroccan industry that would be of interest to India is the automotive sector, which ranked second in terms of exports last year and ranked first in terms of non-EU exports to Europe with a production capacity of roughly 1 million cars.

The advertising campaign also sought to highlight renewable energy as a crucial area for Indian investment.

Given the expertise he has acquired in this area in Morocco, where about 40% of the electricity produced at now comes from renewable sources, and the cheap cost of doing so.

The new investment agreement, which accounts for around 30% of the overall gross investment, has been introduced to large Indian enterprises.

Since India sends a wide variety of goods to the Kingdom, including mobile phones, petroleum products, honey, textiles, and auto parts, the value of trade exchanges with Morocco has reportedly hit 3.2 billion dollars, or roughly MAD 33 billion, for the first time.

India is the recipient of several Moroccan exports. include chemicals, raw minerals, phosphoric acid, and phosphates.

Several Indian businesses have decided to relocate to Morocco. For the automotive industry, these include “Tata Motors” and “Mahandria,” as well as “Samta,” which operates in the metals industry, and “HCL,” a business that makes investments in the offshoring industry.

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Morocco has agreed to deliver 1.7 million metric tons of phosphate fertilizers to New Delhi over the following 12 months.

According to a press release from the OCP group on Sunday, “the signing of these memorandums is a commitment for a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening food security and working for innovative and sustainable agriculture.”

In the presence of Mansukh Mandavia, the Indian Minister of Health, Chemical Products and Fertilizers, and Rajesh Vaishnau, the Indian Ambassador to Morocco, the agreements were signed on Saturday by representatives of the Moroccan group, led by Mostafa Terrab, chairman and chief executive officer of the Moroccan state-owned phosphate-mining company.

“New Chapter to Further Strengthen India-Morocco Ties in Fertlizers sector! Indian Fertilizer companies and OCP, Morocco inked MoUs to ensure seamless supply of P&K fertilizers. This will immensely benefit farming community in India & contribute towards ensuring food security,” said Mandavia on his twitter page.

A New Chapter to Further Strengthen India-Morocco Ties in Fertlizers sector!

Indian Fertilizer companies and OCP, Morocco inked MoUs to ensure seamless supply of P&K fertilizers.

This will immensely benefit farming community in India & contribute towards ensuring food security. pic.twitter.com/xQvYjEZbcK

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) January 21, 2023

The Moroccan officials, led by the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Khaled Ait Taleb, had a meeting with the Indian Minister. He also went to the OCP group’s Jorf Lasfar industrial complex.

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Due to a severe food crisis and rising worries about the security of fertilizer supplies, India is planning new agreements with Morocco to assure a long-term supply of phosphates.

Mansukh Mandaviya, the Indian Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, is scheduled to go to Morocco on January 13 and 14 to sign the aforementioned agreements.

Indian media reports that India would soon sign deals with Morocco to ensure long-term supply of rock phosphate, a crucial raw material for the synthesis of fertilizers diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium nitrate (NPK), in response to rising global concerns about food security.

Indian businesses will have the chance to use the visit to investigate the feasibility of establishing specific facilities for the manufacture of DAP and NPK.

The Minister stated that his visit was “to sign a memorandum of understanding” and noted that Morocco “had vast quantities of phosphates, which is an essential factor for fertilizer manufacture.”

India is interested in the Kingdom’s offer since it is now looking to create trade and business ties with nations that are mineral-rich through multi-year import and investment agreements that would diversify sources of supply and safeguard farmers against shortages.

Following the conflict in Ukraine, diphenyl ammonium phosphate imports from China were suspended, which raised the price of raw materials.

The minister said, “Actors in the joint venture—both public and private—will take care of the extraction, manufacture, and supply of fertilizers to India. A deal with Egypt, according to the official, is also in the works.

According to information from the Indian Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the country needs around 43.5 million tons of fertilizer overall.

India is entirely reliant on potash imports from Mauritius, which have recently ranged between 2.4 million tons and 4.7 million tons.

Since India’s fertilizer demands were roughly 43.5 million tons, over 60% of the ammonium phosphate requirements are met through imports.

Due to the rising need for fertilizers across the world, Morocco has recently seen huge financial gains from exporting phosphate.

One of the biggest phosphate producers in the world, Morocco’s Cheriffian Office of Phosphates (OCP) has around 70% of the world’s stocks of this essential mineral for food security.

The state-owned company shipped more than 500,000 tons of phosphates to African nations in 2022 alone, some of which were gifts and others of which were provided at discounts.

OCP Laos has effectively increased its stock reserves for African nations while increasing its production capacity from 3.4 million tons to 12 million.

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This November 18, 2022, marks the 67th anniversary of Morocco’s declaration of independence. This day marks a significant turning point in Moroccan history and serves as a reminder of the enormous sacrifices made in support of the country’s unity and sovereignty.

The day also marks the return of late King Mohammed V from exile in 1955.

The Moroccan people commemorate, this 18th of November, 2022, the 67th anniversary of Independence Day, which constitutes a milestone in the history of Morocco and an occasion to evoke the great sacrifices that were made in order to defend the country’s unity and sovereignty. pic.twitter.com/WUxKU37JJs

— Moroccan Diplomacy 🇲🇦 (@Marocdiplo_EN) November 18, 2022

The Two Holy Mosque’s Custodian King Salman wishes the King of the Kingdom of Morocco a happy Independence Day along with HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque @KingSalman and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulate King of the Kingdom of #Morocco on Independence Day. pic.twitter.com/KB3gShq8LQ

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) November 18, 2022

Nell Stewart, Canada’s ambassador to Morocco has also posted on twitter wishing a happy independence day for Morocco.

Happy Independence Day Morocco! 🇲🇦 https://t.co/zJJPfxRHdG

— Nell Stewart (@NellStewart) November 18, 2022

The Philippines joins the Moroccan people in celebrating Morocco’s Independence Day.

The #Philippines joins the #Moroccan people in their commemoration of #Morocco’s #Independence Day. https://t.co/Pf2H4p66sw

— Philippine Embassy in Morocco (@PHLinMorocco) November 18, 2022

On the happy occasion of Morocco’s Independence Day, the Embassy of India in Rabat sends its warmest congratulations to the welcoming people of Morocco.

Embassy of India, Rabat conveys its best wishes to the friendly people of Morocco on the joyous occasion of Independence Day of Morocco! pic.twitter.com/dP7HfM9Ej5

— India in Morocco (@indembrabat) November 18, 2022

The British Embassy in Morocco also wishes all Moroccans a prosperous future as the nation marks the anniversary of its independence.

تتمنى السفارة البريطانية بالمغرب عيد استقلال مجيد للشعب المغربي.

On this momentous day, the British Embassy Morocco wishes a prosperous future to all Moroccans 🇲🇦 as the country commemorates the anniversary of its independence.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/Y2608sx0nv

— UK in Morocco (@UKinMorocco) November 18, 2022

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According to Indian media reports, Serum Institute of India has been authorized to deliver 24 million vaccine doses to 25 countries including Morocco which expects to receive at least 4 million doses.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs, which oversees commercial exports of the vaccine against Covid-19, has approved the Serum Institute of India (SII) to begin the second operation of commercial deliveries of vaccines to third countries.

Indian media reports also mention an authorization for the delivery of 24 million vaccine doses to 25 countries during the month of February including Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Morocco, Nicaragua, Mauritius, the Philippines, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

According to The Wire, an Indian news and opinion website, Serum Institute of India decided in early February to stop production after reaching a stock of 55 million doses. A few hours after the publication of this article, the producer received an official order from the Indian government for 10 million doses. So, as of February 4, SII still had 45 million doses in stock.

Morocco has ordered 25.5 million doses from Serum Institute of India, and received its first delivery consisting of 2 million doses in January. The country now expects to receive at least 4 million doses as part of this second delivery procedure.

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The Embassy of Israel in India witnessed a low-impact blast last Friday, 30 January, which turned out to be carried out by the so-called “Army of India” terrorist group according to the latest Indian media reports.

The attack coincides with the celebration of the 29^th anniversary of Israel and India’s diplomatic ties.

The group behind the attack sent a message in a Telegram chat that has gone viral boasting over how they have succeeded in penetrating a high-security area and set up the attack.

The group further promised that this was just a first of many to come attacks targeting major Indian cities to make India pay back for the “atrocities” carried out by the Indian state.

The investigation is still ongoing to obtain the identities of the two people behind the blast. Indian authorities have obtained CCTV footage capturing the two suspects while arriving on the blast scene in a taxi.

The investigator summoned the taxi driver to provide further details about the two suspects in order to come up with a close sketch.

Media reports confirmed the uncovering of a letter on the blast scene in which the terrorist group described the blast as a first of many to come and mentions two Iranian “martyrs”, the late Quds force leader General Qasem Soleimani and nuclear program architect Mohsen Fakhirzadeh.

The group used an improvised explosive device hidden next to the pavement a few meters away from the Embassy. Luckily there were no casualties or injuries; however, a couple of cars were lightly damaged by the blast.

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Covid-19 vaccine supply on the way from India to Morocco to arrive at 14:30 GMT+1 today Friday, January 22, 2021 under “Covishield” commercial contract.

India has sent the first shipment containing 2 million doses of Covid-19 “Covishield” vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and produced by Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine produced.

India has cleared the first commercial exports to Morocco and Brazil today Friday, January 22, 2020.

India’s choice for Morocco to be the first country with Brazil to receive the shipment stems from the deep and strong bilateral relations that unite Morocco to India.

Earlier this year, India had authorized the export of 6 million tablets of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to Morocco. In addition to that, India had organized different training courses for health workers and executives from partner countries including Morocco under India’s technical and economic cooperation program (ITEC) prior to Vaccine reception.

On their part, Moroccan health officials have benefited from a training program prior to the delivery of the vaccines covering administrative and operational aspects organized January 19-20, 2021 for the benefit of staff responsible for immunization, cold chain, communication and data managers in the countries beneficiaries of the vaccine both nationally and locally.

India, “pharmacy of the world”, is one of the top pharmaceutical producing countries globally. It has held off exporting vaccine doses until it began its own domestic immunization program last week. India has also sent free supplies to neighboring countries including Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal.

India is considered one of the world’s largest producers of vaccines. 60% of the world’s vaccine production comes from India. In addition to that, Indian producers supply 1.5 billion doses per year for more than 150 countries. India is also the world’s largest supplier of DTP, BCG and measles vaccines. On their part, WHO purchases 70% of its essential vaccines from India.

The post Morocco, First Covid-19 Vaccine Shipment from India Today appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

The December 10 agreement between Morocco and Israel to normalize ties has garnered worldwide reaction, many of which — including Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, and UAE — expressing support for the historic event.

India, with which Morocco enjoys friendly relations, eagerly welcomed the Morocco-Israel normalization agreement.

Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said in a daily news briefing on Thursday, December 17, that the country has “very good” relations with both Morocco and Israel, asserting that India has always supported peace, stability, and development in the region — reported Hindustan Times.

Morocco is the fourth and latest Arab country that has agreed to re-establish ties with Israel. Other Arab countries include the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan.

 In line with the normalization agreement, the United States recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and adopted Morocco’s undivided official map including the kingdom’s southern provinces.

The recent agreement is already bearing fruit as next week the White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner and an Israeli delegation are expected to arrive in Rabat, where bilateral agreements will take place.

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