Chisinau, July 20: Amid rising global instability, the importance of India-Moldova relations was emphasized by President Maia Sandu on Monday. She stated that both nations are united by shared values of democratic freedom, respect, and a commitment to serve their citizens’ interests.
During a joint press conference with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Sandu remarked, “Moldova is choosing cooperation and a reliable partnership. It is through such partnerships that we can strengthen our ties with India. We are both democracies—one large and one small—yet we are connected by the same values: freedom, dignity, and working for the welfare of our people. Moldova will always be a trustworthy friend.”
Welcoming President Murmu, Sandu described the visit as an honor for Moldova. She noted that this was the first visit by an Indian head of state since diplomatic relations were established 34 years ago, highlighting the respect and growing partnership between the two countries.
“This is a very special day for the Republic of Moldova. For the first time since our diplomatic relations began 34 years ago, a head of state from India is visiting our country. President Murmu, welcome to the Republic of Moldova. Your visit is an honor for us and a symbol of respect for our nation and its citizens,” she stated.
Sandu acknowledged India as the world’s largest democracy, with over 1.4 billion people and one of the largest and most dynamic economies. She noted that there has been a recent acceleration in political dialogue between the two countries.
“In 2024, we resumed political bilateral consultations after 21 years and inaugurated the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in New Delhi, followed by concrete steps,” she added.
During their meeting, both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and explored new areas of cooperation across various sectors, including education, health, energy, and trade.
“We want this relationship to yield tangible results for our people in trade, investment, energy, education, and health. First and foremost, we aim to increase our trade. We want our products to reach the Indian market more effectively. Today, we are launching the Moldova-India Business Forum, which aims to establish direct links between businessmen and companies from both countries,” Sandu explained.
Emphasizing the importance of people-to-people connections, Sandu highlighted the growing presence of Indian students in Moldova and opportunities for collaboration in higher education and pharmaceuticals.
“Currently, 1,400 students from India are studying at our university, with the majority in the medical field. We have also completed negotiations for a new cooperation agreement in higher education, which will be signed soon. We want to explore India’s experience in producing easily accessible medicines and attract pharmaceutical investments to the Republic of Moldova,” she said.
In thanking President Murmu for gifting a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Sandu remarked, “From him, we learned that true peace is not the silence imposed by the powerful but mutual understanding between free nations.”
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