India and Romania have set a target to double bilateral trade over the next three years while agreeing to expand cooperation in sectors including pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence and defence during President Droupadi Murmu’s state visit to the European nation.

The announcements were made after President Murmu held bilateral talks with Romanian President Nicusor Dan in Bucharest, marking the first visit by an Indian President to Romania in three decades. The two countries also signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering science and technology, sports and Indian studies.

Leaders Set Ambitious Trade Target

Addressing the media after the bilateral talks, President Murmu described economic cooperation as a key pillar of the India-Romania partnership and said both countries had agreed to deepen trade and investment ties.

“Economic cooperation is an important pillar of our partnership. We will promote trade and investment, strengthen the supply chain and agreed to encourage close cooperation between the industries of both countries. We have also set a target to double bilateral trade in the next three years,” she said.

Murmu said the two sides would expand cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, renewable energy, green hydrogen, agricultural production and fertilisers, science and technology, digital public infrastructure and artificial intelligence.

“This cooperation will move forward taking advantage of the complementary capabilities of both our economies,” she added.

Defence, AI and Capacity Building in Focus

President Murmu said defence cooperation would continue to be strengthened through regular exchanges, training programmes, capacity building and closer collaboration between the defence industries of both countries.

She also announced that India would double the number of training opportunities offered to Romania under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

According to Murmu, the expanded programme will include courses on artificial intelligence, while Romanian diplomats will also receive specialised training in AI and cyber diplomacy through India’s Foreign Service Institute.

She welcomed Romania’s continued engagement with the International Solar Alliance and its intention to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

The President also announced that India and Romania would celebrate 2028, marking 80 years of diplomatic relations, as the India-Romania Year of Innovation.

Three MoUs Signed During Visit

President Murmu was accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour at the Cotroceni Palace before holding talks with President Dan.

During the visit, the two countries signed three MoUs to strengthen cooperation in science and technology, sports, and the establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Bucharest.

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to peace, dialogue and international law.

Murmu thanked Romania for its hospitality and expressed hope that President Dan would visit India in the near future.

“I hope that soon I will get a chance to welcome President Dan in New Delhi,” she said.

Romania Seeks Stronger Economic Engagement

President Nicusor Dan described Murmu’s visit as “historic” and said India and Romania shared a long-standing partnership with significant potential for future cooperation.

He welcomed the growing presence of Indian investment in Romania and said discussions had focused on ways to increase two-way investment.

Dan also said the two leaders discussed the possibility of establishing direct flight connectivity between India and Romania.

“I believe your visit has made a new beginning in our bilateral relations and I am fully confident that we will continue and strengthen our cooperation ahead, both personally and between our two countries,” he said.

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