Morocco and India have agreed to double bilateral trade over the next five years and establish a joint working group to examine the possibility of negotiating a preferential trade agreement, India’s government said.
The agreement was reached during Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada’s official visit to Morocco on Aug. 24-25.
Prasada co-chaired the seventh session of the India-Morocco Joint Commission with Omar Hejira, Morocco’s secretary of state for foreign trade.
The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, industry, fertilizers, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, energy, mining, digital transformation and transportation.
Bilateral trade reached about $4 billion in 2025, according to the Indian government.
The new joint working group will study opportunities to expand bilateral trade and assess the feasibility of a preferential trade agreement. It will examine tariff and non-tariff barriers, as well as opportunities to improve market access and facilitate trade in goods and services.
The two sides also agreed to address regulatory and market-access challenges facing Indian pharmaceutical companies, including marketing authorization procedures and approval timelines.
The Indian government said the two countries want to diversify their trade basket and expand market access, with priority areas including fertilizers and chemicals, minerals, electrical machinery, auto parts, vehicles, construction materials, polymers, agricultural products, tea, metals and tourism.
The two governments also emphasized greater business-to-business engagement through trade fairs, economic forums, investment events and business delegations. They agreed to strengthen the role of the Morocco-India Business Council and the Moroccan-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in promoting private-sector partnerships.
Agriculture was also identified as an area for expanded cooperation. The two countries agreed to work together on sustainable agriculture, food security, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, food safety, agricultural research, digital farming, biotechnology and agricultural value chains.
During the joint commission meeting, Morocco’s National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) and India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) signed a memorandum of understanding on food safety cooperation. The agreement provides a framework for exchanging information, technical expertise and best practices, as well as capacity-building and initiatives aimed at facilitating safe and sustainable trade.
The two countries also signed a cultural exchange program for 2026-2030 covering exchanges between artists and professionals, participation in festivals and exhibitions, heritage preservation and cooperation among museums, libraries and archives.
During his visit, Prasada invited Moroccan companies to explore investment opportunities in India, particularly in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, renewable energy, health care and pharmaceuticals.
He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in automotive value chains and financial technology, saying India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” development vision was creating opportunities for stronger investment and trade partnerships with Morocco.
The minister visited the India-Morocco Phosphates Co. (IMACID), a joint venture involving Morocco’s OCP Group and Indian partners, highlighting the longstanding bilateral partnership in phosphates and fertilizers.
The two countries are also preparing to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027. The eighth session of the India-Morocco Joint Commission is expected to be held in New Delhi.
The Indian government described the bilateral relationship as a longstanding partnership that has gained strategic momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King Mohammed VI.
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