Key Highlights of the Visit

Historic Milestone

  • President Droupadi Murmu completed her State Visit to Romania as the final leg of her trip to Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania
  • This marks the first State Visit by an Indian President to Romania in nearly three decades

Trade and Economic Cooperation

  • India and Romania reaffirmed their 70-year partnership
  • Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and resilient supply chains
  • Target: Double bilateral trade within three years
  • India enjoys a trade surplus with Romania
  • In FY 2024-25, Romania accounted for 0.24% of India's exports and was India's 56th largest export destination
  • Key Indian Exports: Petroleum products, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals
  • Key Indian Imports: Machinery, vegetable oils, iron & steel

India-EU Free Trade Agreement

  • Romania is an important partner within the European Union (EU)
  • India emphasized that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would create significant opportunities for industries and skilled professionals

Agreements Signed

Three agreements were signed in:

  • Education
  • Culture
  • People-to-people exchanges

Science & Technology

  • Both countries agreed to expand joint Research & Development (R&D) under the Programme of Cooperation in Science and Technology

Cultural Promotion

  • An Indian Studies Chair will be established at the University of Bucharest with support from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)

Capacity Building

  • India announced it will double training opportunities for Romania under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme

India-Romania Year of Innovation

  • To commemorate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2028, both countries agreed to celebrate 2028 as the "India-Romania Year of Innovation"

About Romania

Geographic Profile

  • Location: South-Eastern European country
  • Borders: Ukraine (North), Moldova (East), Black Sea (South-East), Bulgaria (South), Serbia (South-West), Hungary (North-West)
  • Capital: Bucharest

Political Profile

  • Democratic republic
  • Member of European Union (EU) and NATO

Physical Features

  • Symmetrical relief with:
  • Nearly one-third mountains
  • One-third hills
  • One-third plains
  • Major features: Carpathian Mountains, Transylvanian Basin, Danube Delta (UNESCO World Heritage Site), fertile Chernozem plains

Economic Profile

  • High-income economy
  • Among the fastest-growing economies in the European Union

Strategic Significance

  • Located on the Black Sea
  • Hosts the Port of Constanța - a major gateway for Europe-Asia trade
  • Important partner for India in:
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Automobiles
  • Renewable Energy
  • Strengthening India-EU economic cooperation

Constitutional/Policy Context

  • ITEC Programme: India's capacity building initiative under Technical Cooperation with other developing countries
  • ICCR: Autonomous body under Ministry of External Affairs for cultural diplomacy
  • India-EU FTA negotiations: Ongoing trade negotiations with the EU bloc

Significance for India

  • Romania serves as India's gateway to Central and Eastern European markets
  • Port of Constanța offers alternative trade routes reducing dependence on traditional shipping channels
  • Growing importance of India's engagement with EU through bilateral partnerships with member states
  • Romania's strategic location strengthens India's Black Seaconnectivity and broader Indo-Pacific vision