President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday held bilateral talks with Romanian President Nicusor Dan during her State Visit to Romania, with the two leaders agreeing to deepen cooperation across key sectors and work towards doubling bilateral trade over the next three years.
Calling Romania an important partner for India within the European Union, President Murmu said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would create unprecedented opportunities for industries and skilled professionals in both countries.
President Murmu reached Bucharest on Wednesday on the final leg of her three-nation State Visit to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania. She was received at the airport by Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Toiu.
The visit marks the first State Visit by an Indian President to Romania in nearly three decades. Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, along with Members of Parliament Dinesh Sharma and Vijay Baghel, are accompanying the President.
At the Cotroceni Palace, the official residence of the Romanian President, the Indian President was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour before holding one-on-one and delegation-level talks with President Dan.
According to the President’s Secretariat, the discussions covered all major aspects of the India-Romania bilateral partnership, with both sides agreeing to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual priority.
Highlighting the long-standing ties between the two countries, President Droupadi Murmu said India and Romania have shared a warm and enduring friendship for over seven decades, built on mutual trust, respect and strong people-to-people relations.
“Economic cooperation remains an important pillar of the India-Romania partnership,” she said, adding that both countries would promote trade and investment, strengthen resilient supply chains and encourage greater collaboration between their business communities.
The President emphasised that Romania’s position within the European Union makes it an important partner for India and said the India-EU FTA would significantly expand economic opportunities for businesses and skilled professionals.
Education, culture and people-to-people exchanges also figured prominently in the discussions. The President welcomed the signing of three agreements in these areas.
India and Romania also agreed to expand joint research under the Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology. An Indian Studies Chair will be established at the University of Bucharest with the support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), while the Government of India has decided to double the number of training opportunities for Romanian nationals under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.
As the two countries prepare to mark 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2028, they agreed to celebrate the occasion as the “India-Romania Year of Innovation”.
Following the talks, both Presidents issued press statements outlining their shared commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation.
On Friday, President Murmu is scheduled to address the India-Romania Business Forum and visit the Parliament of Romania and the Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
