New Delhi | July 19, 2026 | External Affairs

In an unprecedented diplomatic engagement with Central and Eastern Europe, the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, is undertaking a high-level three-nation State Visit to the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of North Macedonia, and Romania from July 19 to 25, 2026.

Detailed during media briefings by Secretary (West) Shri Sibi George, the tour reflects New Delhi’s expanding multi-vector European statecraft. The state visits aim to deepen bilateral political, economic, and security ties while utilizing the region's position as a natural transport corridor to wider European Union (EU) markets under the "3 Ts" framework: Trade, Technology, and Tourism/Talent.

1. Historic Significance and Macro-Strategic Objectives

The presidential tour establishes key diplomatic milestones, reinforcing India’s commitment to engaging with all European nations regardless of size:

• Diplomatic Firsts: The tour marks the first-ever bilateral visits by an Indian President to both Moldova (since diplomatic ties were established in 1992) and North Macedonia (since ties were established in 1995). The leg to Romania is the first presidential visit to Bucharest in over three decades, following President Shankar Dayal Sharma’s visit in 1994.

• European Gateway & Connectivity: Due to their strategic location across the Balkans and the Black Sea, these nations serve as vital transit corridors linking Southeastern and Central Europe. Romania’s Port of Constanța and North Macedonia’s Vardar-Morava transport axis (linking Greece to Central Europe via Serbia) offer Indian businesses access to the broader European continent.

• EU FTA Alignment: While Moldova and North Macedonia are not EU members, both are official EU candidate countries with preferential trade agreements. Officials emphasized that the implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (concluded in January 2026) will further enhance trade and investment flows across these candidate states.

• The "Double Trade" Objective: A core objective across all three legs is a shared commitment to double bilateral trade over the next three years.

2. Leg I: Republic of Moldova (July 19–20, 2026)

Arriving in Chișinău at the invitation of President Maia Sandu, President Murmu engaged in delegation-level talks, addressed a business forum, met parliamentary leadership, and presented a bust of Mahatma Gandhi to the Moldovan President.                                            • Double Trade Target

• Key Bilateral Agreements:

  • Higher Education & Degree Recognition: Finalized an MoU on higher education. India accepted Moldova's proposal to recognize Moldovan veterinary degree certificates, benefiting students and expanding professional opportunities.

  • Capacity Building & Skill Development: Announced the doubling of ITEC training slots for Moldova, focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Moldova was also invited to participate in specialized diplomat training on AI and cyber diplomacy at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.

• Economic & Energy Integration:

  • Indian firms maintain a growing presence in IT, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agritech, and renewable energy. Notably, an Indian firm constructed the transmission line linking Romania to Moldova, which covers 70% of Moldova's energy capacity.

• Multilateral & Security Cooperation:

  • Moldova reaffirmed its strong condemnation of the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and backed global counter-terrorism efforts.

  • Already a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Moldova was invited to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).

3. Leg II: Republic of North Macedonia (July 21–22, 2026)

President Murmu proceeded to Skopje at the invitation of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. The visit featured high-level talks with the President and Prime Minister, an address to the National Assembly, the joint inauguration of the India-North Macedonia Business Forum, and scheduled unveilings of a Mahatma Gandhi statue and a visit to the Mother Teresa memorial.

• Key Deliverables & Institutional Agreements:

  • Healthcare MoU Renewal: Renewed the bilateral MoU on Healthcare Cooperation for an additional five years, focusing on joint health initiatives, facility development, and tech transfers.

  • Commercial Partnerships: ASSOCHAM signed three institutional MoUs with North Macedonian Chambers of Commerce. An expansive business delegation participated, spanning IT/ITeS, AI, circular economy, aerospace, defense, textiles, and food processing.

  • Capacity Building: Announced the doubling of ITEC slots (with AI specialization) and offered specialized training for foreign diplomats in cyber diplomacy and AI.

• Institutional & Cultural Exchange:

  • In her address to the Assembly, President Murmu highlighted democratic linkages and showcased India's constitutional mandates for women's representation, including local Panchayati Raj reservations and the historic one-third legislative reservation law.

  • North Macedonia expressed interest in traditional Indian healthcare practices, including Yoga, and was invited to participate in the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) to boost filmmaking and tourism ties.

• Multilateral Convergence:

  • North Macedonia reaffirmed its support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council and backing for the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

  • Skopje expressed its intention to join the ISA, CDRI, and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

4. Leg III: Romania (July 22–25, 2026)

The final leg brings President Murmu to Bucharest, marking a vital re-engagement with a key EU member state and regional trade hub.

• Economic Baseline: Bilateral trade reached $1.3 billion in 2025 (in India's favor), supported by $1.5 billion in Indian investments. Approximately 550 Indian companies are registered directly in Romania, alongside 500 European-registered Indian firms operating in the country across IT, steel, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

• Security & Defense Focus: Talks emphasize expanding defense ties—including IT, cybersecurity, expert exchanges, joint military exercises, and training at India's Centre for UN Peacekeeping.

• Historical & Humanitarian Ties: Discussions build upon Romania's critical assistance during Operation Ganga (the evacuation of Indian students during the Ukraine crisis) and its consistent condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Geopolitical Takeaway

President Murmu’s three-nation tour bridges political goodwill with economic statecraft. By focusing on infrastructure corridors, capacity building in AI and cybersecurity, renewable energy expansion, and institutional trade mechanisms, New Delhi is successfully consolidating its footprint in Central and Eastern Europe while securing strategic entry points into the broader European economy.