Sushma Swaraj reveals she was convinced by PM to go ahead with Morocco trip given strong counter-terror ties

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj revealed that she wanted to cancel her trip to Morocco in the wake of the February 14 terrorist attack in Pulwama but Prime Minister Narendra Modi convinced her not to do so, telling her that support of this Muslim majority nation was key to fighting cross-border terrorism.

“It’s my first visit to Morocco. When I tour I do (so) happily, but I’ve come here with a heavy heart,” Swaraj told Indian diaspora in Moroccan capital Rabat. “I left on 16th morning and on 14th our 40 jawans were killed in Pulwama. All ambassadors thought I might cancel my visit. I thought I should cancel my visit.”

“When I told this to PM, he said something which I’d like to share. He said, ‘Morocco always stood with us against terrorism. It’s going to sign an agreement with us on counterterrorism. It’s fighting radicalisation. So, please go there.’ Agreeing, I came here,” she said.


Swaraj underlined the importance of the agreement signed with Morocco on counterterrorism, saying, “India has faced the menace of cross-border terrorism for decades. Therefore, our agreement with friendly nation Morocco signed today (Monday) in fighting terrorism together is important for India.”

The minister said India-Morocco trade grew to $1.5 billion by October 2018 and that there was unlimited scope for further expansion.

In the past two years, India and Morocco have had 20 minister-level visits and the two countries have signed 40 memorandums of understanding and agreements.

Swaraj was on a four-day tour to Bulgaria, Morocco and Spain as part of India’s efforts to strengthen relations with these three countries and expand avenues of cooperation.

African nations have extended strong support to India following the Pulwama attack, according to people aware of the matter, especially since many of them are also victims of radicalisation and terrorism.