Why in News?

In a landmark development, India and Morocco have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation. The agreement was formalized during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's two-day visit to Morocco, marking the first time an Indian Defence Minister has visited the North African country. This move signifies a major step in strengthening bilateral relations and strategic interests between the two nations.

Key Points

• The MoU establishes a formal framework for collaboration in defence industry, joint military exercises, training, and capacity building.
• Both countries agreed to a comprehensive roadmap for cooperation on counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, and peacekeeping operations.
• To institutionalize the partnership, India announced the opening of a new Defence Wing at its embassy in Rabat, Morocco.
• The agreement will facilitate co-development and co-production opportunities in the defence sector, with a focus on modern technologies like drones.

Important Terms

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): A formal document outlining an agreement between two or more parties, signifying a mutual intent to undertake a common line of action.
• Defence Wing: A specific section within an embassy dedicated to military and defence-related diplomatic relations, typically headed by a Defence Attaché.
• Rabat: The capital city of Morocco and the location where the MoU was signed.