Rabat [Morocco], September 22 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday (local time) said that India’s stature before the international community has significantly increased, as he addressed members of the Indian diaspora in Morocco during his two-day official visit.
“I am delighted to note that you can sense the rise in stature of India before the international community. Earlier, when India spoke on an international forum, it wasn’t taken as seriously as it should have been. Today, when India speaks on an international forum, the entire world takes note of it and listens. This wasn’t the situation earlier. Despite all geopolitical and global challenges, India is one of the fastest-growing major economies,” Singh said during the interaction.
He also highlighted India’s rapid transformation into a hub for startups and innovation. “India is becoming a global hub of startups and innovations. There were 500 startups in India in 2014, and that number has grown to 1.60 lakh. From 18 in 2014, the number of unicorns in India has risen to 118 today,” he said.
Singh further emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering women through legislative measures. “We have introduced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. If you want to return from Morocco to India and contest elections, you are entitled to a 33 percent reservation in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and Vidhan Sabha. The number of seats has also been increased in Parliament,” he told the gathering.
During the visit, Singh is scheduled to hold discussions with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdeltif Loudiyi, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in defense and strategic cooperation. India and Morocco are also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of defense.
Rajnath Singh arrived in Morocco on Sunday for the first-ever visit by an Indian Defence Minister to the country. He landed at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, where he was received by the Head Wali of the Military Command of Casablanca and Indian Ambassador Sanjay Rana. Members of the Indian community, including the President of the Indian Association, welcomed him warmly. (ANI)
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