Marrakech – Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Washington DC on Wednesday during the US-hosted ministerial conference on critical minerals supply chains.
The bilateral meeting occurred as both ministers participated in the high-level gathering organized by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Vice President JD Vance opened the session, announcing America’s proposal for a new critical mineral trading bloc to challenge China’s dominance in rare earth mining.
Le Ministre des Affaires étrangères de l’Inde, Dr S. Jaishankar, a rencontré aujourd’hui à Washington DC S.E. M. Nasser Bourita, Ministre des Affaires étrangères du Royaume du Maroc.
Les échanges ont porté sur le renforcement des relations entre l’Inde et le Maroc. 🇮🇳🇲🇦… pic.twitter.com/6uJNvhkaSt
— India in Morocco (@indembrabat) February 4, 2026
Vance told the assembled foreign ministers that the US wants to create “a trading bloc among allies and partners” to guarantee access to critical minerals necessary for industrial growth. The proposed bloc aims to establish pricing floors and coordinate investment in mining projects that compete with Chinese supply chains.
Morocco’s participation reflects its growing strategic importance in global mineral supply chains. Critical minerals include nonfuel materials essential for manufacturing batteries, electric vehicles, semiconductors, military hardware, and advanced technologies.
The kingdom holds vast critical minerals, including cobalt, copper, nickel, and especially phosphate, controlling approximately 70-75% of global phosphate reserves used in electric vehicle batteries.
Its mineral resources and free-trade access to Western markets have attracted major Chinese battery and automotive firms to establish production and processing facilities there. This positioning has transformed Morocco into a strategic destination in the global EV supply chain.
Morocco-India ties have quietly shifted from “friendly diplomacy” to strategic interdependence, anchored in food security, defense industrialization, and Africa-facing trade.
A key marker of deepening ties came with Indian Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra’s official visit to Morocco from November 18-21, 2025, which reaffirmed growing cooperation under more than 40 bilateral agreements spanning political dialogue, trade, security and defence production.
Read also: Marco Rubio: Morocco Plays ‘Key Role’ in Critical Minerals Diversification
During her meetings in Rabat, Malhotra held strategic talks with Moroccan officials, including OCP Group Chairman Mostafa Terrab, on long-term phosphate and fertilizer supply arrangements, potential joint ventures, and broader commercial and capacity-building cooperation.
Malhotra also met with Trade Secretary Omar Hjira to explore opportunities in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, IT services, textiles, and agro-processing sectors. Energy cooperation discussions with Minister Leila Benali covered renewable energy collaboration through India’s International Solar Alliance membership.
Morocco’s phosphate giant OCP sits at the center of India’s agricultural security calculus. Official briefings note OCP-India MoUs that can supply up to 1.7 million metric tons of fertilizers, while Indian business coverage frames Morocco as a buffer against volatile global supply chains and export restrictions elsewhere.
Defense cooperation has shifted from procurement to co-production arrangements. In September 2025, Tata Advanced Systems opened a manufacturing plant in Berrechid near Casablanca to produce the WhAP 8×8 wheeled armored platform for Morocco and potential export across Africa. This aligns with Rabat’s ambition to build domestic defense industry capabilities and India’s push to scale military exports.
The Washington meeting reinforces Morocco’s position as India’s reliable gateway into Africa and Atlantic trade routes, while India offers Morocco industrial capabilities and diversified partnerships beyond traditional suppliers.
Both countries plan to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 through comprehensive programs of events and exchanges, building on the momentum established since King Mohammed VI’s 2015 visit to India.
