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Morocco World
11-08-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
India's INS Tamal Concludes Exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship Mohammed VI
Marrakech – India's newest stealth frigate, INS Tamal, completed a three-day port visit to Casablanca from August 6-9. This marks the third Indian naval vessel to visit Morocco in the past two years, in a sign of the growing maritime cooperation between the two countries. Commissioned in Russia on July 1, INS Tamal is returning to India via multiple European and Asian ports as part of India's broader maritime diplomacy efforts. During the port call, the ship's crew engaged in various activities aimed at strengthening bilateral naval relations. These included professional discussions with senior Moroccan military officials, cross-deck visits, sports competitions, yoga sessions, and cultural exchanges. The Indian Ministry of Defense stated: 'The port call at Casablanca is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with Morocco and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. It also provided an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore new avenues of cooperation.' Key interactions occurred with Captain Rachid Sadrhazi, Commander of the 1st Naval Base; Captain-Major Hasan Akouli, Commander of the Central Maritime Sector; Brigadier General Jamal Kaztouf, Delegated Commander of Weapons for the Casablanca Area; and Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, Rear-Admiral Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy. Indian Ambassador to Morocco, Sanjay Rana, visited the ship, where he engaged with both Moroccan naval leadership and the Indian crew. As INS Tamal departed Casablanca, it conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship Mohammed VI, demonstrating operational coordination between the two naval forces. This port visit builds on already substantial New Delhi-Rabat relations. Trade between the countries has shown steady growth, with India exporting $101 million to Morocco in March, while importing $46 million during the same period. The bilateral relationship underwent a profound diplomatic leap following King Mohammed VI's historic 2015 visit to India during the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit Since then, Indian business presence in Morocco has expanded considerably, with Indian companies operating across various sectors, including automotive, IT, green technologies, and hospitality. The number of Indian companies in Morocco has grown from 12 to 40 in recent years. Notable Indian firms operating in the North African country include Tata Motors, Sterling and Wilson, Larsen and Toubro, Sumilon, and Furnace Fabrica. Defense cooperation now forms a critical axis of bilateral engagement. In 2024, Morocco received 90 military trucks from India's Tata Group. The same year, Morocco's military and TATA Advanced Systems Limited formed a partnership to domestically produce the WhAP 8×8 armored combat vehicle. INS Tamal will continue its journey home, making additional port calls that further India's diplomatic and maritime engagement across Europe and Asia. Tags: casablanca portMorocco and Indiaroyal moroccan navy
United News of India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
INS Tamal concludes successful Casablanca visit en route to India
New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) INS Tamal, the Indian Navy's newest stealth frigate, has completed a port call at Casablanca, Morocco, on her way to India. Commissioned in Russia on July 1, INS Tamal is transiting back to her home base via multiple European and Asian ports, advancing India's maritime diplomacy and reinforcing bilateral ties. INS Tamal is the third Indian Naval Ship in the last two years to visit Casablanca. A statement from the naval spokesperson stated that during the three-day port call, the ship engaged in a host of activities focused on furthering cooperation and collaboration between the two navies. Bilateral discussions with senior military officials, cross deck visits, sports fixtures, yoga and cultural exchanges by both sides in honour of Indo-Moroccan relations were conducted as part of the port call. The ship's crew interacted with Captain Rachid Sadrhazi, Commander of the 1st Naval base, Captain-Major Hasan Akouli, Commander of the Central Maritime sector, Brigadier General Jamal Kaztouf, Delegated Commander of Weapons of Casablanca Area and Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, the Rear-Admiral inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy. The Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Sanjay Rana visited the ship and interacted with senior military officials of the Moroccan Navy and the ship's crew. On departure from Casablanca, the ship undertook a Passage Exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship Mohammed VI. The port call at Casablanca is indicative of the importance India attaches to its relations with Morocco and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. It also provided an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and explore new avenues of cooperation. Enroute to her home base in India, the ship will visit multiple European and Asian ports furthering bilateral ties across the spectrum, the statement added. UNI PWS RN
