President Droupadi Murmu on Friday invited Romanian companies to participate actively in India’s growth story, saying the country’s journey towards becoming a developed nation under the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision presents immense opportunities for international partnerships, investment and technology collaboration.
Addressing the India-Romania Business Forum in Bucharest in the presence of Romanian President Nicușor Dan, members of the Romanian government, business leaders and industry representatives from both countries, President Murmu said India and Romania are well positioned to deepen economic ties amid a rapidly transforming global economy.
Describing Romania as a natural and valuable partner, the President said the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, highly skilled workforce, advanced industrial capabilities and strong integration with the European Union make it an attractive destination for Indian investment as well as a gateway to the wider European market. She noted that the large Indian business delegation participating in the forum reflected growing confidence among Indian industries in the opportunities available in Romania.
Highlighting the significance of the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), President Murmu said the agreement would be one of the world’s most significant economic partnerships, covering a combined market of nearly two billion people and an economic size of around 25 trillion dollars. She said its early and effective implementation would create a predictable business environment, strengthen investment flows, deepen value-chain integration and generate new opportunities for MSMEs, startups and innovators on both sides.
The President also noted that India and the European Union are negotiating an Investment Protection Agreement and a Geographical Indications Agreement, which would further strengthen bilateral economic engagement.
Emphasising India’s economic transformation, President Murmu said the country remains one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, driven by sound macroeconomic fundamentals, a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, a skilled workforce and sustained reforms. She said India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ offers significant opportunities for global partnerships in investment, technology and innovation.
She highlighted the government’s efforts to create a transparent, predictable and investor-friendly business environment through tax reforms and production-linked incentive schemes.
Pointing to key sectors for future cooperation, the President said India and Romania have significant opportunities to collaborate in energy security and the green transition. She said India’s leadership in renewable energy, solar power, green hydrogen and sustainable biofuels complements Romania’s strengths in nuclear energy, hydropower and offshore wind.
She also identified chemicals and fertilisers as another promising area for collaboration, saying the two countries could explore long-term partnerships in fertiliser manufacturing, supply chains and joint investments to support sustainable agriculture and food security.
President Murmu said India’s globally recognised Digital Public Infrastructure, thriving startup ecosystem and leadership in information technology could complement Romania’s expertise in software engineering, cybersecurity, research and advanced technologies. She also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in transportation and logistics, including ports, railways, highways, logistics parks and multimodal transport, as well as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture and food processing.
Referring to strategic cooperation beyond trade, the President said the India-EU Trade and Technology Council has emerged as an important platform for advancing collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, telecommunications, clean energy and digital innovation. She also highlighted the recently concluded India-EU Security and Defence Partnership, saying it would strengthen defence industry collaboration and complement India’s bilateral defence ties with Romania. She noted that India’s expanding defence manufacturing ecosystem offers opportunities for joint production, co-development, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), technology partnerships and defence research.
The President expressed confidence that businesses from both countries would transform emerging opportunities into successful commercial partnerships and urged Romanian companies to become active participants in India’s development journey.
“Our businesses can build resilient supply chains, generate employment, promote innovation and create sustainable prosperity for our peoples,” she said.
Earlier in the day, President Murmu held wide-ranging discussions with Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan at Victoria Palace in Bucharest. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, connectivity and emerging technologies.
The President also held delegation-level talks with Romanian President Nicușor Dan at Cotroceni Palace after receiving a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, exchanged views on regional and global developments and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.
During the visit, three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in the fields of science and technology, sports, and the establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Bucharest, further expanding institutional cooperation between the two countries.
President Murmu reached Bucharest, Romania on Thursday, which is the final destination of her three-nation State visit, aimed at strengthening India’s political, economic and strategic engagement with its European partners.
