Romania and India reset ties as President Murmu visits Bucharest for first time in 32 years

First Indian presidential visit in 32 years

President Droupadi Murmu was received by President Nicușor Dan at Cotroceni Palace on Thursday, 23 July 2026, beginning a state visit that runs until Saturday. It is the first visit by an Indian head of state to Romania since 1994, a gap of 32 years. The last Romanian presidential visit to India took place in 2006. President Dan described the occasion as a new beginning for bilateral relations, noting that diplomatic ties will mark their 80th anniversary in 2028.

I believe your visit marks a new beginning in our bilateral relationship.

The visit includes official talks, a joint press conference, a state dinner, and a bilateral economic forum on Friday. The Romanian Presidential Administration called the event a milestone, resuming high-level political dialogue after two decades.

Economic cooperation and direct air link

Economic cooperation dominated the agenda. President Dan pointed to the EU-India free trade agreement as a framework that opens significant possibilities for both economies. He stressed that a direct air link between Romania and India could help boost reciprocal investments.

We have a great opportunity ahead of us, especially in the economic area.

Both leaders discussed ways to increase Indian investments in Romania and Romanian investments in India. The bilateral economic forum on Friday, inaugurated by the two presidents, will bring together business representatives and Romanian authorities to explore concrete projects.

Academic and sports agreements signed

Several cooperation documents were signed during the visit. A bilateral programme in science and technology was concluded, alongside agreements between the University of Bucharest and the University of New Delhi. These establish an Indian Studies Chair at the University of Bucharest and a Romanian Civilisation Chair in New Delhi.

I am glad that the two agreements were signed here today, and the collaboration in the field of sports, where we can find complementarities.

A sports cooperation agreement was also signed, aiming to identify areas where the two countries can complement each other. The academic and cultural exchanges are part of a broader effort to strengthen people-to-people ties, building on the 2024 Joint Declaration that marked ten years of the Extended Partnership.

Condolences and geopolitical talks

The presidents also addressed the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. President Dan offered condolences for four Indian sailors who died in an attack on 19 July near Odesa. Both leaders expressed support for resolving the conflicts through diplomatic means, noting that the instability affects not only the countries directly involved but also the global economy.

Once again, condolences for the four Indian sailors who died in the attack on 19 July near Odesa.

They held common positions on the need for diplomatic solutions, underlining the broader security and economic consequences of the ongoing wars.

What's next

The state visit continues with a state dinner on Thursday evening and the economic forum on Friday. The Romanian side views the visit as a platform to accelerate the upward dynamic in bilateral relations, particularly after the adoption of the 2024 Joint Declaration and the deepening of the EU-India Strategic Partnership. The direct air link proposal and the newly signed agreements are expected to translate into concrete follow-up actions in the coming months.