Murmu’s visits make Moldova & North Macedonia first-time destinations for an Indian President on official state visits
President Murmu greets as she emplanes on state visits to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania, on Sunday. (Photo:PTI)
New Delhi, Jul 19:President Droupadi Murmu, on Sunday, embarked on a three-nation state visit to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania to deepen India’s engagement with the countries across sectors such as trade, technology and people-to-people exchanges.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit reflects India’s growing engagement with Central and Eastern Europe and reaffirms its commitment to strengthening partnerships across the region.
“It also complements India’s broader engagement with Europe and the strategic partnership with the European Union,” MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George told the press on Friday.
The first leg of the tour begins in Moldova on Monday, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the Eastern European nation.
During the visit, Murmu will hold delegation-level talks with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and meet Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
“India and Moldova enjoy warm and friendly relations. This visit will mark a significant historical milestone and elevate bilateral ties to a broad-based partnership,” the MEA said in a statement on Friday.
At the invitation of North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Murmu will visit North Macedonia from July 21 to 22. This will also be the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the country.
Murmu will hold bilateral talks with President Siljanovska-Davkova, meet Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and the President of the Assembly, and address the Assembly of North Macedonia.
She will also address the India-North Macedonia Business Forum. The two countries are keen to deepen economic cooperation in priority sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITeS).
In the final leg of her tour, Murmu will visit Romania from July 23 to 25 at the invitation of Romanian President Nicușor Dan. The visit will be the first by an Indian President to Romania in more than three decades.
During her stay, Murmu will meet President Dan, interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, President of the Senate Mircea Abrudean, President of the Chamber of Deputies Sorin Grindeanu, and members of the Romania-India Parliamentary Friendship Group.
She will also address the India-Romania Business Forum and interact with members of the Indian community.
The MEA noted that Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania had all condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir last year and expressed strong support for India in its fight against terrorism.
