W hen Defence Minister Rajnath Singh landed in Rabat, Morocco, this September, it was more than just another high-level visit. It came alongside Tata Advanced Systems Limited opening its first-ever defence production unit in Africa—a milestone in India’s outreach to the continent. For New Delhi, Morocco is not just a partner but a gateway to Africa and a foothold on the Mediterranean’s southern flank.

However, beneath the headlines lies a more complex story. India’s Morocco venture reveals both growing ambition and persistent blind spots. To make sense of it, we must examine three layers: the initiative itself and its irony; Morocco’s place in a crowded, multialigned defence ecosystem; and its role in India’s Mediterranean calculus. Together, they highlight a larger point: India must rec

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