Moldova and India: From Diplomatic Relations to a Partnership with Economic and Strategic Stakes

Moldova and India: From Diplomatic Relations to a Partnership with Economic and Strategic Stakes

SABINA ISACOV

For the first time since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Moldova and India, 34 years ago, a head of the Indian state has paid an official visit to Chișinău. The visit takes place in an important geopolitical context, in which India is diversifying its economic and diplomatic partnerships globally, while the Republic of Moldova is advancing in the process of European integration.

For Chișinău, the visit represents an opportunity to expand trade on the Indian market, attract investments, and promote the Republic of Moldova as an access platform to the European Union market. For New Delhi, the Republic of Moldova represents a partner offering cooperation opportunities in areas such as energy, agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, digital technologies, and education. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova’s rapprochement with the European Union may increase the interest of Indian companies in this market.

Photo source: The Presidency of the Republic of Moldova

Over the past two years, Moldovan-Indian relations have experienced a visible acceleration: bilateral political consultations were resumed after a 21-year pause, the Republic of Moldova opened its embassy in New Delhi, India authorized the import of Moldovan apples, and cooperation expanded into areas such as energy, education, and investments. In this context, the visit of India’s President Droupadi Murmu to Chișinău marks a new stage in bilateral relations. It reflects the interest of both states in transforming political dialogue into a partnership based on economic projects, investments, and cooperation in strategic areas.

More than a ceremonial visit

India’s President, Droupadi Murmu, came to Chișinău at the invitation of her Moldovan counterpart, Maia Sandu, and her visit was described as a “new stage in bilateral relations.” During a joint press conference, the two heads of state announced several new initiatives aimed at deepening bilateral relations in strategic areas such as trade, energy security, medicine, and technology.

According to the Moldovan president, the Republic of Moldova seeks to expand economic cooperation by increasing trade exchanges, promoting Moldovan exports on the Indian market, and attracting Indian investments to the Republic of Moldova.

As a platform for developing partnerships between the business communities of the two countries, the Moldova–India Business Forum was organized and inaugurated by the two presidents as part of the Indian leader’s visit. In addition, the Republic of Moldova aims to benefit from India’s experience in producing affordable medicines and to attract investments in the pharmaceutical sector.

The message conveyed by Maia Sandu was that Moldova’s closer ties with the European Union can transform the country into a bridge between Indian capital and the European market, providing an economic argument for attracting investments. At the same time, on the foreign policy level, Maia Sandu reaffirmed the condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and emphasized that relations between the Republic of Moldova and India are based on respect for international law, state sovereignty, and shared values such as freedom, dignity, and cooperation.

These positions were also supported by India’s President, Droupadi Murmu.“In an increasingly unstable world, Moldova chooses cooperation and trusted partnerships – and it is precisely such a partnership that we are building with India. We are two democracies – one very large and one smaller – but united by the same values: freedom, dignity, and work for the benefit of our people,” declared President Maia Sandu.

Photo source: The Presidency of the Republic of Moldova

India’s vision regarding its partnership with the Republic of Moldova

India’s President, Droupadi Murmu, stated that although Moldova and India are geographically distant, friendship between the two countries has continued to grow through regular dialogue. According to her, economic cooperation remains a very important pillar of the partnership between the two countries. She also noted that the heads of state agreed during bilateral discussions to strengthen trade, increase supply chain resilience, and encourage closer involvement of business communities.

She emphasized that education and capacity development have been among the most important pillars in the development of relations between the two states over the years. Therefore, during the visit, it was agreed that academic exchanges and institutional partnerships between universities in Moldova and India would be expanded.

The president said that India is doubling the number of scholarships for professionals from Moldova and that cooperation in areas related to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies will be developed. Diplomats from the Republic of Moldova are invited to participate in courses focused on artificial intelligence and cyber diplomacy at institutions in India.

The President of India invited her Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu to visit India.“I am fully convinced that together we can build an even stronger, future-oriented partnership, beneficial for both sides, and a closer partnership between India and the Republic of Moldova,” Droupadi Murmu stated during the press conference.

Beyond the diplomatic messages, President Droupadi Murmu’s statements suggest that India views the Republic of Moldova as a partner with economic and educational potential, in a regional context where India is gradually developing its economic and diplomatic relations with European countries. The fact that discussions focused on trade, technology, education, and cooperation between companies shows that both states want their bilateral relationship to move beyond political dialogue and translate into concrete projects.

Photo source: The Presidency of the Republic of Moldova

The first Moldova–India Business Forum in Chișinău

Given the visit of India’s President to Moldova, the first Moldova–India Business Forum was held in Chișinău, designed as an instrument to stimulate investments and cooperation between companies. The event, which took place on July 20, 2026, represented the first bilateral economic platform organized at this level.

According to the organizers, around 40 businesspeople from India and representatives of the local business community participated in the forum. The main topics discussed focused on investment and export opportunities in IT, renewable energy, agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, and agro-food processing.

During the event, President Maia Sandu stated that Moldova aims to become one of the most business-friendly countries in the region by digitizing public services, eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring fair conditions for all investors. “You do not have to wait for our accession in order to sell to Europe from the Republic of Moldova. You can do it right now,” Maia Sandu stated.

The head of state invited Indian companies to view the Republic of Moldova not only as a market, but also as a platform connecting them to European value chains. For his part, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Vasile Tofan, said that one indicator of the success of the economic partnership between the two states would be the launch, in the future, of a direct Chișinău–Bengaluru flight. Bengaluru is a city in southern India and the capital of the state of Karnataka, known for its pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and aerospace industries, as well as for hosting numerous international companies with production or research centers there.

India’s President, Droupadi Murmu, stated during the Forum that she was accompanied on her visit to Moldova by a large delegation of Indian business representatives, which demonstrates the growing confidence of the Indian business community in the economic potential of the Republic of Moldova and its commitment to building long-term partnerships.

The Indian head of state noted that there is considerable potential for cooperation in areas such as digital technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, financial technologies (fintech), food processing, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, healthcare, and others.

Data presented by the Government of the Republic of Moldova shows that in 2025, bilateral trade between the Republic of Moldova and India amounted to 80.5 million US dollars, an increase of 6.87% compared with the previous year. There are 75 companies with mixed Moldovan-Indian capital registered in the Republic of Moldova.

Photo source: The Presidency of the Republic of Moldova

The evolution of Moldovan-Indian relations: from diplomatic dialogue to strategic cooperation

Although diplomatic relations between Moldova and India have always been good, it was only in October 2024, in New Delhi, that bilateral political consultations between the two countries resumed after a 21-year pause. In December 2024, the Republic of Moldova inaugurated its Embassy in New Delhi – an important step for strengthening political dialogue and promoting the economic interests of the Republic of Moldova on the Indian market.

In February 2025, India opened its market for Moldovan apples. In the energy sector, the Indian company KEC International, which won an international tender, completed the construction of the 400 kV Vulcănești–Chișinău overhead power line – a strategic project for the energy security of the Republic of Moldova.

In the same year, the Republic of Moldova joined the International Solar Alliance, a global initiative launched by India together with France, headquartered in New Delhi, which opens new opportunities for cooperation in the field of renewable energy.

More than 1,400 students from India are studying at universities in the Republic of Moldova, most of them at the “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and India is also reflected in the labor market, through the growing number of Indian workers employed in various sectors of the Moldovan economy affected by labor shortages.

Beyond the political dimension, relations between the Republic of Moldova and India are increasingly supported by visible economic and human ties. The growth of trade exchanges, the presence of Indian students in Moldovan universities, and the interest of companies from both countries show that bilateral rapprochement goes beyond official statements.

The visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Chișinău shows that relations between India and the Republic of Moldova are entering a stage in which the rapprochement between the two countries is no longer only diplomatic, but is based on concrete projects and shared interests.

From Indian students choosing to study in Moldova to the economic opportunities created for companies, the connection between the two states is gradually being built through people and genuine cooperation. For India, this rapprochement means strengthening its presence in a region undergoing transformation, while for the Republic of Moldova it represents an opportunity to attract investments, diversify its partnerships, and make better use of its European path.

SABINA ISACOV is from Chișinău, Moldova. She is a journalist with approximately 10 years of experience in mass media, specialized in creating relevant content tailored to target audiences. She has the ability to cut through information noise, identify what truly matters, and present it in a simple, clear, and accessible way. She worked in dynamic environments, developing strong skills in research, writing, and editorial project management. Passionate about authentic storytelling and the impact of quality information on society.

22-07-2026

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