Why the Maghreb and particularly Morocco, matters to India

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Morocco in early July as part of a five-nation tour spanning Africa, Latin America, and West Asia. Modi is expected to meet with King Mohammed VI during his stay in Rabat and the visit to Morocco, his only stop in the region, is both timely and significant.

The recent imposition of sweeping tariffs by the United States under President Donald Trump has disrupted traditional trade flows, compelling countries to seek alternative partnerships and markets. Indian media have reported that India’s outreach to North Africa will be focused on counterterrorism and technology partnerships, but I think the potential is much greater, given the uncertainty around Trump’s tariffs. 

In the current context, the two countries could accelerate development of renewable energy and the establishment of an efficient pharmaceutical industry—key features of India's economic rise under the Modi administration—which could further energize bilateral relations, as would more engagement on manufacturing, services and digital technology.

Across the Maghreb, Morocco leads the way in economic terms with India. In 2023, Indian exports to Morocco hit $1.11 billion, nearly doubling in five years. These include cars, pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, and plastics. Morocco, in turn, supplies phosphates—an essential ingredient for India’s agriculture and fertilizer industry. Algeria has exported oil and gas to India, while importing machinery, chemicals, and food products; in 2023-24, bilateral trade touched $848.16 million. Tunisia also known for phosphoric acid production, has maintained a steady trade with India, totaling around $464.73 million in 2023, especially in the fertilizer and chemical sectors.

But there is more to it. The Maghreb is also seen as a strategic bridge between Africa and Asia. Positioned at the junction of the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Sahara, the Maghreb and increasingly Morocco, connects Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. For India, which is reassessing its global ambitions through initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)⁸ and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)⁹, perhaps the Maghreb is a missing piece in an increasingly complex global puzzle.

Particularly important, Morocco has a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union and preferential access to African markets. By establishing supply chains in Morocco, Indian companies can gain indirect access to European and Francophone markets without all the bureaucracy.

It has been a decade since King Mohammed VI met Prime Minister Modi, during the Third India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi and since then the two countries have signed over 40 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in a wide range of sectors. At the heart of this cooperation are shared values in South-South cooperation as well as a combination of cultural familiarity, geopolitical importance, and mutual economic interests. 

Perhaps it was an Indian diplomat based in Rabat, speaking to Moroccan media ahead of this historic visit, that summed up the relationship best: “We value its stability, moderation, and deep ties to multiple regions. Morocco brings depth to our African engagement. It knows the ground realities. It offers credibility. And it does so with consistency.” 

*Kieran Baker is an Emmy award winning journalist who has started up various networks including Al Jazeera English, Bloomberg TV Africa and TRT World.