Morocco, fast emerging as north Africa’s economic leader and a major source of phosphates for India, is keen to diversify its cooperation with India including in tourism sector targeting high-end tourists and filmmakers.In 2015 the two countries decided to elevate bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership and are now working to include new areas of cooperation to the partnership including tourism, besides the traditional ones of fertiliser, chemicals, automobiles, renewable energy and construction. Morocco is taking specific steps to target the Indian tourism market, according to CEO of Moroccan National Tourist Office Adberrafia Zouiten who was on a weeklong trip to India this month.“Morocco wants to open up more and more to India, one of the emerging countries, and hopes to capture the attention of a large number of Indian tourists and make them visit the kingdom including filmmakers,” according to Zouiten. Number of popular Bollywood films have been shot in Morocco during the past few years.In Morocco, there is lot of interest in Indian art and culture, especially Bollywood. The Marrakesh International Film Festivals (MIFF) regularly screen Hindi movies and invite Indian actors.The Moroccan Tourism authority has been able to open a regional office in Delhi in a record 10 days-time by obtaining necessary permit from local authorities. The opening of this office is a result of fruitful cooperation between the two governments.“Indo-Moroccan relations have been strengthened, particularly after the historic visit of King Mohammed VI to New Delhi in October 2015 as part of the third India-Africa Forum Summit,” according to Zouiten. King Mohammed VI was the first Head of State to arrive in Delhi and last to leave India. On the occasion, he held extensive discussions with PM Narendra Modi Morocco with its variety of tourist attractions wants to position itself in India – a growing office -- through the Delhi office.It may be noted here that India is the largest Asian recipient of Moroccan governmental investment. The return of Morocco to the African Union earlier this year after three decades would add further momentum to Africa-India relations. Morocco is emerging as a key counter-terror and de-radicalistion partner for India in North Africa Relations between India and Morocco go back to the 14th century when the famous traveller and writer from Tangier, Ibn Batuta travelled to India. In modern history, India was active in the UN supporting the Moroccan freedom movement.India is one of the major markets for Moroccan phosphate and its derivatives. Other main items of export to India are metallic ores and metal scrap, semi-finished products and inorganic chemicals. The main items of India’s exports to Morocco are cotton yarn, synthetic fiber, transport equipment, pharmaceuticals, agricultural implements, chemicals, spices and manufactured metals.