President Droupadi Murmu’s State Visit to Romania

President Droupadi Murmu’s State Visit to Romania, beginning on 23 July 2026, was the final leg of her State Visits to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania. It was the first State Visit by an Indian President to Romania in nearly three decades and sought to give fresh momentum to a relationship that is entering its 80th year of diplomatic relations in 2028. 

Key Outcomes of President Droupadi Murmu’s State Visit to Romania

President Droupadi Murmu’s State Visit to Romania focused on expanding the India-Romania partnership through trade, technology, innovation, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

• Trade and Investment: India and Romania agreed to deepen trade and investment, strengthen resilient supply chains and work towards doubling bilateral trade over the next three years.
• India-EU Economic Engagement: India highlighted Romania’s importance as a partner within the European Union and noted that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement would create significant opportunities for industries and skilled professionals.
• Sectoral Cooperation: The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, renewable energy, green hydrogen, agricultural products and fertilisers, science and technology, Digital Public Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence.
• Defence Cooperation: India and Romania agreed to strengthen defence cooperation through regular exchanges, training, capacity building and closer engagement between their defence industries.
• Science and Technology: Both countries agreed to expand joint research and development under the Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology, including cooperation in emerging technologies.
• Education and Indian Studies: An Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair of Indian Studies is being established at the University of Bucharest to promote academic cooperation and deeper understanding of Indian and Romanian societies.
• Sports Cooperation: The two countries signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in sports, creating opportunities for institutional exchanges and capacity building.
• Capacity Building: India decided to double training opportunities for Romania under the ITEC Programme, including courses in Artificial Intelligence.
• Cyber Diplomacy: Romanian diplomats will have opportunities to participate in the Foreign Service Institute’s Professional Course for Foreign Diplomats, including specialised modules on Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Diplomacy.
• India-Romania Year of Innovation: To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2028, both countries agreed to celebrate 2028 as the “India-Romania Year of Innovation.” 

About Romania

• Romania is a South-Eastern European country bordered by Ukraine to the north, Moldova to the east, the Black Sea to the southeast, Bulgaria to the south, Serbia to the southwest and Hungary to the northwest. 
• Bucharest is the capital of Romania. 
• It is a democratic republic and a member of the European Union and NATO.
• Major geographical features include the Carpathian Mountains, Transylvanian Basin, Danube Delta and fertile Chernozem plains.
• Romania has a high-income economy with important sectors including manufacturing, information technology, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, energy and agriculture.
• Its position on the Black Sea and the presence of the Port of Constanta, a major regional maritime and logistics hub, give Romania importance for European connectivity and trade.

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India-Romania Relations

India and Romania share a longstanding relationship that has gradually expanded from diplomatic engagement to cooperation in trade, technology, education, culture, defence and innovation.

• India and Romania established diplomatic relations in 1948 and will complete 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2028.
• India enjoys a trade surplus with Romania. In FY 2024-25, total bilateral trade was approximately US$1.45 billion. Romania accounted for 0.24% of India’s total exports and was India’s 56th-largest export destination, while it accounted for 0.06% of India’s imports and ranked 81st among India’s import sources.
• India’s major exports include petroleum products, engineering goods and pharmaceuticals, while imports include machinery, vegetable oils, iron and steel.
• Bilateral relations have also developed through cooperation in areas such as information technology, petroleum and natural gas, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, tourism and defence.

Significance of Romania for India

Romania’s strategic location, EU membership, industrial capabilities and growing technological potential make it an important partner for India in Europe.

• Gateway to the European Union: As an EU member, Romania can help deepen India’s economic engagement with European markets, particularly through the India-EU FTA.
• Strategic Location and Connectivity: Located in South-Eastern Europe on the Black Sea, Romania connects the European mainland with the wider Black Sea region. Its Port of Constanta offers opportunities for cooperation in maritime connectivity, logistics and Europe-Asia trade routes.
• Economic and Industrial Cooperation: Romania’s skilled workforce and industrial base create opportunities for Indian cooperation in manufacturing, IT, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, infrastructure, renewable energy and advanced technologies.
• Technology and Innovation Partnership: Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, science and technology, digital technologies and cyber diplomacy can combine Romania’s strengths in software, engineering and research with India’s capabilities in digital innovation.
• Diversification of Partnerships: Stronger ties with Romania can help India diversify its economic partnerships and build more resilient supply chains in a changing global environment.
• Greater Engagement with Central and Eastern Europe: The partnership strengthens India’s presence in a region important for European connectivity, energy security, technology and strategic affairs.
• Climate and Sustainable Development Cooperation: Romania’s engagement with initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, along with its stated intention to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance, can create opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy, climate resilience and sustainable development.
• People-to-People and Soft Power Links: The ICCR Chair of Indian Studies, expanded ITEC training opportunities, academic exchanges and sports cooperation can deepen India’s cultural, educational and institutional presence in Europe.