President Droupadi Murmu landed in Chisinau, Moldova, on Monday morning. This marks the first leg of her three-nation State Visit covering Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania. Notably, the trip also marks the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Moldova, according to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release. A high-level delegation accompanies the President. The group includes Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Dr. Dinesh Sharma and Shri Vijay Baghel, members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively, are also part of the visit.
This visit comes as India expands its diplomatic footprint in Eastern Europe. Moldova, a former Soviet republic, has pursued closer ties with the European Union in recent years. Therefore, the three-nation tour signals India’s growing interest in engaging smaller European economies beyond its traditional partners.
India-Moldova relations have historically stayed limited, given the geographic and strategic distance between the two countries. However, both nations have used platforms like the United Nations to coordinate on shared global concerns. Now, this State Visit aims to convert that quiet diplomatic goodwill into concrete economic and technological partnerships.
Moldova Welcomes President Murmu With Ceremonial Honours
Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Mihai Popsoi, received President Murmu at Chisinau International Airport. Afterward, she travelled to the Presidential Palace for a formal welcome. President Maia Sandu of Moldova greeted her counterpart warmly. Thereafter, officials accorded President Murmu a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour. The two leaders then held one-to-one talks, followed by delegation-level discussions on bilateral ties.
President Murmu called the visit a historic milestone for India-Moldova relations. She also noted that the visit reflects thegrowing friendship and mutual trust between the two nations. The President said India and Moldova have shared warm relations for over three decades. She added that, despite the geographic distance, the partnership has grown steadily over the years.
India-Moldova Ties Strengthen Across Key Sectors
Economic cooperation remains a central pillar of the relationship. President Murmu stressed the need for greater trade, investment, and stronger supply chains. Additionally, she called for better connectivity and deeper engagement between business communities. The President also announced that India will double ITEC training slots for Moldovan professionals. These slots will include specialised courses in Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. Furthermore, she invited Moldovan diplomats to attend AI and cyber diplomacy courses at India’s Foreign Service Institute.
Both leaders agreed to expand cooperation across several sectors. These include agriculture, logistics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. They also committed to working together on Digital Public Infrastructure and innovation.
Following the meeting, both Presidents issued formal statements to the press.
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