External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a series of high-level meetings with Bulgarian leaders, including Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova, aimed at expanding cooperation across sectors ranging from trade and technology to defence and mobility, while also strengthening India’s engagement with the European Union.

Sharing details of his meeting with the Bulgarian Prime Minister on X, Jaishankar said he conveyed the greetings of PM Modi to the Government and people of Bulgaria. He noted that the discussions underscored the strong bilateral relationship and the opportunities emerging from the deepening India-EU Strategic Partnership.

A pleasure to meet PM Rumen Radev this afternoon in Bulgaria.

Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi to the Government and people of Bulgaria.

Highlighted our robust bilateral ties, recent opportunities created by the strengthening 🇮🇳🇪🇺 Strategic Partnership, and the… pic.twitter.com/G8r0YxreMp

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 10, 2026

The minister said the two sides agreed on the importance of closer India-Bulgaria cooperation in an increasingly volatile global environment and discussed enhancing collaboration in trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, space, defence, mobility, tourism and the creative entertainment sector. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

Focus On Strategic And Economic Engagement

Jaishankar later met Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova and reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations. According to the External Affairs Minister, both countries explored fresh avenues for cooperation, particularly in the context of the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement, the Strategic and Defence Partnership and the Comprehensive Mobility Cooperation Framework.

Delighted to interact with FM Velislava Petrova-Chamova @vpetrova_mfa of Bulgaria this evening.

Reviewed the full spectrum of India-Bulgaria relations and explored new avenues for cooperation, particularly in the context of the 🇮🇳🇪🇺 FTA negotiations conclusion, the Strategic &… pic.twitter.com/UQp9NA08OD

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 10, 2026

The discussions also covered expanding economic engagement and strengthening collaboration in science and technology, AI, pharmaceuticals, defence, connectivity, education and culture. Both sides emphasised increasing political interactions and enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

Highlighting the shared vision for the future, Jaishankar said India and Bulgaria are committed to transforming their longstanding friendship into a contemporary and forward-looking partnership.

Engagement With Bulgarian Society And Cultural Heritage

Earlier in the day, the External Affairs Minister interacted with prominent Bulgarian friends of India in Sofia. He described the exchange as productive and said discussions focused on ways to deepen economic, academic, cultural and mobility ties between the two countries.

Jaishankar also visited the National Historical Museum in Sofia, where he explored artefacts spanning several millennia. He praised Bulgaria’s efforts to preserve its rich historical and cultural heritage and said the visit gave him a deeper appreciation of the country’s civilisational legacy.

India and Bulgaria share warm and friendly relations, with cultural contacts predating the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1954. Historical links between the peoples of the two countries are believed to date back to the 8th century AD.

Finland Visit Next On Jaishankar’s Agenda

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar will travel to Finland on June 11 to participate in the 14th edition of the Kultaranta Talks, which this year will be held under the theme, “A World in Transition: Global, Regional and Local Perspectives”.

During the visit, the External Affairs Minister is expected to hold meetings with his Finnish counterpart and other senior leaders. India and Finland have traditionally enjoyed friendly ties, with bilateral cooperation witnessing significant growth in research, innovation and investment in recent years.

The Indian community in Finland is considered vibrant and well integrated, while Indian culture and yoga continue to enjoy widespread popularity in the Nordic country.

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