Moldovan President Maia Sandu held talks with Indian President Droupadi Murmu in Chisinau on Monday, with the two leaders agreeing to significantly deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The high-profile visit marks the first time an Indian head of state has visited Moldova since the two nations formally established diplomatic relations in 1992.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Sandu announced that Moldova and India would soon sign a new cooperation agreement focused on higher education to strengthen academic ties, highlighting that roughly 1,400 Indian students are currently enrolled at Moldovan universities. She emphasized that Moldova is actively seeking to expand its partnership with India in trade, investment, energy, healthcare, information technology, and education.
In her remarks, President Murmu described education and capacity building as being among the strongest pillars of the bilateral relationship. To further this connection, she announced that India would double the number of professional training opportunities and scholarships available to Moldovan experts. The two leaders also reached an agreement to foster joint cooperation in emerging technological fields, including artificial intelligence and cyber diplomacy.
Bilateral relations between the two countries have gained significant momentum over the last few years. Formal political consultations resumed in New Delhi in October 2024 following a 21-year hiatus. This was quickly followed by Moldova opening its embassy in New Delhi in December 2024, and India opening its domestic market to Moldovan apple imports in February 2025.
