President Murmu Hails Expanding India-Moldova Ties During Historic First-Ever State Visit

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday scripted history by becoming the first Indian Head of State to visit Moldova, describing the growing partnership between the two countries as "crucial for the progress, prosperity and well-being" of their people. The landmark State Visit to Chisinau marks the first leg of her three nation tour covering Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania, reflecting India's growing diplomatic engagement with Eastern Europe.

Murmu was accorded a ceremonial welcome on her arrival and received by Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi before holding delegation level talks with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, investment, information technology, digital transformation, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, education, renewable energy, culture and capacity building.

Addressing a joint media interaction, President Murmu said India and Moldova have shared warm and friendly relations based on democratic values, mutual respect and cooperation. She stressed that expanding collaboration in priority sectors would be "crucial for the progress, prosperity and well-being" of the people of both countries. President Maia Sandu described the visit as historic and said it opens "a new chapter" in bilateral ties with one of the world's fastest growing major economies.

The visit comes at a time when India-Moldova relations are witnessing renewed momentum. Bilateral political consultations resumed in 2024 after a gap of more than two decades, Moldova opened its Embassy in New Delhi in late 2024, and India granted market access to Moldovan apples in 2025, boosting agricultural trade. Both countries are also exploring greater cooperation in digital technologies, innovation, education, pharmaceuticals and business investments.

President Murmu is also scheduled to meet Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, interact with members of the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address the India-Moldova Business Forum, and meet members of the Indian community. Around 2,000 Indians, including nearly 1,800 medical students, live in Moldova, making them one of the country's largest foreign student communities.

The Business Forum is expected to encourage stronger commercial partnerships, investments and business-to-business collaborations as both governments seek to diversify economic engagement beyond traditional sectors. The visit also highlights India's broader strategy of strengthening partnerships with Eastern European countries and complementing its expanding engagement with the European Union.

After concluding her engagements in Moldova, President Murmu will travel to North Macedonia from July 21 to 22, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the country. She will then undertake a State Visit to Romania from July 23 to 25, the first by an Indian President in more than three decades. The three nation tour is being viewed as a significant step in expanding India's political, economic and strategic footprint across Eastern Europe.