India-Moldova Relations

• President Droupadi Murmu reached Chisinau, Moldova on July 20 on the first leg of her State Visit. 

• This is the first visit by an Indian President to Moldova.

• She held delegation-level talks with Moldovan President Maia Sandu.

• The two leaders held productive and forward-looking discussions covering the entire spectrum of the bilateral partnership.

• As part of her day-long visit, President Murmu laid a wreath at the Monument of Stefan cel Mare si Sfant (Stephen the Great), paying tribute to one of Moldova’s most revered national figures.

• Murmu also met Igor Grosu, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and interacted with members of the India-Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group.

• Although geographically distant, the India-Moldova partnership has steadily grown, guided by our shared commitment to peace, development and international cooperation.

Key facts about Moldova:

• Moldova is a landlocked country located in Eastern Europe. It borders Romania and Ukraine.

• It has a population of over 2.3 million people.

• Chisinau is the capital and largest city.

• The Parliament is the country’s supreme representative body and sole legislative authority. 

• It operates as a unicameral legislature composed of 101 members.

• Maia Sandu became the country’s first female President of Moldova in December 2020.

• In 2024, she became the first Moldovan President to win a mandate for a second term by popular vote.

India-Moldova Relations

• India established diplomatic relations with Moldova on March 20, 1992.

• India-Moldova relations are friendly and cordial. 

• The two countries cooperate well on matters of mutual interest at multilateral fora. 

• In April 2023, Moldova opened its embassy in India.

• Bilateral trade between India and Moldova stood at $16.75 million in 2023-24. 

• Main articles of export to Moldova include drugs and pharmaceutical products, engineering goods, ceramic products and glassware, organic and inorganic chemicals, etc. 

• Main articles of Indian imports from Moldova include animal or vegetable fats and oils, prepared edible fats, cereals, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, along with their parts and accessories.

• Recently, Moldova has started exporting apples. 

• The Indian diaspora in Moldova consists of approximately 2,000 people, with about 1,800 of them students.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)