The new Moroccan Ambassador to India Mohamed Maliki presented his credentials to President of India Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday in the Indian capital New Delhi at an impressive ceremony. The Presidential Palace – Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted the news from its social media account. Dressed in the traditional Moroccan attire, Maliki was the cynosure of all those present at the ceremony. He is a graduate in literature. He is trained in Strategic Studies and Diplomatic Studies in Morocco, Pakistan, Malaysia and the United States. Maliki has more than two decades of experience in various diplomatic capacities.
Mohamed Maliki started his diplomatic career as a First Secretary of Foreign Affairs in charge of Technical Cooperation with African countries. He has varied experience in African and Asian diplomatic affairs and international relations. He served in Cameroon from 1994 to 2000. Later, he had been the Deputy Ambassador at the Moroccan Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan from July 2003 to August 2007. Subsequently, he worked at the Directorate of Asia and Oceania Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Morocco till his appointment as a new ambassador to India. The new Moroccan Ambassador Maliki promises that the Moroccan Embassy will attempt, in the nearest future, to provide some relevant information in the Hindi language to encourage more exchanges and reach out to a larger number of people interested in visiting Morocco, for business purpose or in getting to know the rich and multifaceted culture of the Kingdom of Morocco. Mohamed Maliki is happily married, with two children.
It may be recalled that Morocco and India share warm and cordial relations since the time of the Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta who served as a judge in the Sultanate of India many centuries ago. The Moroccan cuisine and textiles – particularly the Moroccan red hat Fez are very popular in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. The Moroccan mint tea called Suleimani is a favourite past time of Hyderabadis, especially, after Biryani dinner. The VIII Nizam of Hyderabad His Exalted Highness Nawab Mir Barakat Ali Khan Bahadur had a Moroccan wife too. Some Bollywood films have been shot in Morocco. Many Indian actors and Hindi film songs are very popular with the Moroccans.
Morocco and India are firm in their resolve to fight terrorism and strengthen their cooperation in trade, commerce, agriculture and defense. The rich Moroccan Zawiyah and Indian Khwankhah Sufi legacy is one sure shot mechanism to fight terrorism. India’s phosphates needs are met by Morocco to a large extent. The new ambassador Maliki will hopefully strive to take the Indo-Moroccan ties to the next higher level. Last year, His Majesty King Mohamed VI visited India during the India-Africa Summit. Many agreements were signed between Morocco and India on the occasion.
Mohamed Maliki’s new tenure as the Moroccan Ambassador to India will nurture new bonds of Asia-Africa strategic partnership. Morocco and India are natural allies! The year 2017 marks the Diamond Jubilee in Morocco-India diplomatic relations established in 1957.
Ahlan Wa Sahlan Mohamed Maliki! Welcome to India!
