President Murmu on Historic State Visit to Moldova
Holds bilateral talks with President Maia Sandu; India announces enhanced cooperation in AI, trade and capacity building
- President Droupadi Murmu begins first-ever State Visit by an Indian President to Moldova.
- Holds bilateral and delegation-level talks with President Maia Sandu.
- India doubles ITEC training slots for Moldovan professionals, including AI courses.
- Both countries agree to expand cooperation in trade, healthcare, agriculture and digital technologies.
GG News Bureau
CHISINAU, 21st July: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday began her historic State Visit to Moldova, becoming the first Indian President to visit the East European nation and marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations.
The visit is the first leg of her three-nation tour covering Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania. She was received at Chisinau International Airport by Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi.
At the Presidential Palace, President Murmu was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour by President Maia Sandu before the two leaders held one-to-one and delegation-level talks.
Describing the visit as a historic milestone, President Murmu said it reflects the growing friendship, mutual trust and expanding partnership between India and Moldova.
She noted that despite geographical distance, the two countries have maintained warm and friendly relations for more than three decades, guided by their shared commitment to peace, development and international cooperation.
Highlighting economic cooperation as a key pillar of the relationship, the President stressed the need to enhance bilateral trade and investment, strengthen resilient supply chains, improve connectivity and encourage greater engagement between the business communities of both countries.
During the talks, India announced that it will double the number of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training slots for Moldovan professionals, including specialised programmes in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. President Murmu also invited Moldovan diplomats to participate in dedicated courses on AI and Cyber Diplomacy at the Foreign Service Institute of India.
The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, logistics and infrastructure, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence and innovation.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together on global issues and strengthening bilateral engagement to contribute to a peaceful, stable and prosperous international order.
President Murmu is accompanied on the visit by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Dinesh Sharma, and Lok Sabha MP Vijay Baghel.
