“World listens when India speaks,” says Rajnath Singh in Morocco

The Morning Voice, Morocco: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh underscored India’s rising influence on the global stage during his interaction with the Indian diaspora in Morocco on Sunday, noting that India’s voice now carries weight in international forums. Singh is on a two-day official visit, marking the first-ever trip by an Indian Defence Minister to Morocco, aimed at strengthening bilateral defence and strategic cooperation. A key highlight was the inauguration of Tata Advanced Systems’ new Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) manufacturing facility in Berrechid, the first Indian defence plant in Africa.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said, “Earlier, when India spoke on an international forum, it wasn’t taken as seriously as it should have been. Today, when India speaks, the entire world listens. Despite global challenges, India is one of the fastest-growing major economies.” He also pointed to India’s rapid transformation into a hub for startups and innovation, with numbers rising from around 500 recognized startups in 2014 to over 1.60 lakh by 2025, and unicorns growing from 18 to more than 120 in the same period, reflecting the scale of India’s entrepreneurial growth.

Singh also highlighted efforts to empower women, citing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves one-third of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies for women. However, the law’s implementation depends on the next census and a delimitation exercise, so the 33% reservation is expected to take effect only around the 2029 general elections. Currently, women make up about 14% of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, well below the global average.

In his bilateral meeting with Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi, Singh signed an MoU to deepen cooperation in defence. Both sides agreed to expand collaboration in counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, capacity building, and defence industry partnerships. Singh noted that India’s ties with Morocco have grown remarkably in recent years, with this visit marking a strategic deepening of engagement in North Africa. He was welcomed in Casablanca by senior Moroccan officials, Indian Ambassador Sanjay Rana, and members of the diaspora.