The Indian Embassy in Rabat recently celebrated the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day, bringing together Moroccan officials, former participants in Indian training programs, and diplomatic representatives. The event, held on October 30, showcased growing cooperation between India and Morocco in technology, skills development, and public administration. India's Ambassador to Morocco, Sanjay Rana, highlighted ITEC as a flagship initiative launched in 1964 to share India's technical expertise with partner nations.
Over 900 Moroccan professionals have benefited from the ITEC program over the years, with 2026 seeing Moroccan officials participate in specialized training covering artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital forensics. Ambassador Rana emphasized that capacity building goes beyond professional training, equipping public officials with practical skills to strengthen institutions, improve governance, and support national development. This cooperation is a significant aspect of India-Morocco relations, with a focus on digital transformation and public infrastructure development.
Former Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior Noureddine Boutayeb highlighted cooperation between India and Morocco in Digital Public Infrastructure, particularly Morocco's National Population Register (RNP). Morocco used Indian expertise in digital identity systems, including Aadhaar, through cooperation with the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore and its Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP). This partnership, formalized in 2018, allowed Morocco to develop a digital identity system adapted to its national needs.
The RNP serves as a foundation for Morocco's Unified Social Register (RSU), which helps identify beneficiaries and improve the delivery of social protection programs. Abdessamad Tajerramt, head of the Asia Division at Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the longstanding relations between India and Morocco and the importance of maintaining exchanges and professional training opportunities. The celebration brought together Moroccan alumni of ITEC programs, who shared their experiences of training in India and the professional knowledge they gained.
The Embassy noted that the initiative's impact extends beyond individual participants, as returning professionals bring new expertise to their institutions while maintaining connections that contribute to stronger bilateral relations. The event concluded with interactions among participants and a reception featuring Indian cuisine, attended by government officials and diplomatic representatives. This cooperation reflects the growing partnership between India and Morocco in technology and skills development.
ITEC Day celebrations highlighted India's contribution to Morocco's digital transformation, particularly through cooperation on digital identity systems and public infrastructure development. The program has enabled Moroccan professionals to gain valuable skills and expertise, which will contribute to Morocco's national development. The cooperation between India and Morocco is expected to continue growing, with a focus on technology, skills development, and public administration.
The ITEC program has been instrumental in strengthening India-Morocco relations, with a focus on capacity building and cooperation in digital transformation. The celebration of ITEC Day in Rabat showcased the success of this partnership and the potential for future cooperation between the two countries. As India and Morocco continue to strengthen their ties, the impact of the ITEC program will be felt for years to come.
Key points
- India and Morocco have strengthened cooperation in digital transformation, skills development, and public administration through the ITEC program.
- Over 900 Moroccan professionals have benefited from the ITEC program, which has contributed to Morocco's national development.
- The partnership between India and Morocco in digital identity systems and public infrastructure development is expected to continue growing.
