New Moldova-India partnership brings scholarships and investments
Moldova and India will enhance their trade relations, introduce new university study programs for students, and work together to train professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence and cyber diplomacy. These objectives were announced on Monday, July 20, by President Maia Sandu and her Indian counterpart, Droupadi Murmu, during her visit to Chisinau.
Artificial Intelligence courses for Moldovan diplomats
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Moldova and India were established on March 20, 1992, but the bilateral partnership was significantly deepened in 2024, with the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in New Delhi.
India aims to stimulate bilateral trade, strengthen supply chain resilience, and more directly involve business communities. In this regard, a Moldovan-Indian Economic Forum is to be organized in Chisinau.
“We agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas of common interest such as logistics, medicine, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and artificial intelligence”, said the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, in a briefing held jointly with Maia Sandu.
In addition to the economic component, special emphasis is placed on educational opportunities.
“Education and capacity building have always been among the strongest pillars of our relations. We have agreed to expand academic exchanges and institutional partnerships between our universities. India is also pleased to double the number of special courses and scholarships for professionals from the Republic of Moldova,” Droupadi Murmu said.
To address the challenges in the digital field, India will offer mobility programs for diplomats from the Republic of Moldova to strengthen their knowledge in the field of cyber diplomacy.
At the same time, Droupadi Murmu reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace and respect for international law in conflict zones in Europe and the Middle East: “India has always supported conflict resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.”
Jobs for Indians
President Maia Sandu, in turn, highlighted the economic progress with India, noting that the Indian market has already opened to Moldovan apples and that there are grounds for new agreements.
"We discussed new directions of cooperation. We want more and more Moldovan agri-food products to reach the Indian market and for this relationship to bring concrete results for our citizens in trade, investment, energy, education and health", declared Maia Sandu.
The head of state emphasized that the Republic of Moldova can represent a gateway for Indian investments on the European market:
"*For Indian companies looking towards Europe, Moldova can become an entry platform, and for us this means investments and jobs. The best example of this potential is the energy sector: an Indian company built the Vulcănești-Chișinău power line, a strategic project for our energy security", pointed out Maia Sandu.
The President recalled that about 1,400 Indian students are currently studying in Moldovan universities, mostly in medicine, which opens up important opportunities for the pharmaceutical sector.
“Negotiations for a new cooperation agreement in the field of higher education have been completed. We also want to capitalize on India's experience in producing affordable medicines and attract pharmaceutical investments in Moldova”, concluded Maia Sandu.
India, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, is one of the world's largest economies and is currently experiencing one of the fastest growth rates among major economies.
The Moldova-India Business Forum, organized by the Investment Agency, will take place in Chisinau on July 20. The Indian delegation will consist of approximately 30 businesspeople who are visiting the Republic of Moldova to promote trade and investment collaboration.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2025, the Republic of Moldova exported goods valued at over $1.45 million to India, while it imported goods worth over $73.9 million from India.
