BUCHAREST (TIP): Ambassador of India to Romania and concurrently accredited to the Republic of Moldova, Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, undertook a series of engagements in the Republic of Moldova aimed at further strengthening bilateral cooperation across political, economic and cultural sectors. The engagements included meetings with members of the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and local authorities in Bălți, Orhei and Soroca. The visit underscored India’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the Republic of Moldova through sustained political dialogue and enhanced cooperation at both the national and local levels.
Meeting with the Moldova–India Parliamentary Friendship Group
Ambassador Mohapatra met members of the Moldova–India Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Igor Dodon, Chairman of the Friendship Group, and was attended by H.E. Mrs. Inga Ionesii, Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Moldova to India.
The two sides reviewed the current state of India–Moldova bilateral relations and discussed avenues for further strengthening political dialogue and inter-parliamentary cooperation. They exchanged views on enhancing parliamentary exchanges and agreed to work towards expanding engagement between the legislatures of the two countries.
As the world’s largest democracy, India attaches great importance to parliamentary diplomacy as an important pillar of its foreign policy. Enhanced engagement between the legislatures of India and the Republic of Moldova is expected to foster greater mutual understanding, facilitate exchanges of legislative best practices and reinforce the broader bilateral partnership through stronger political dialogue and institutional cooperation.
Meeting with the Mayor of Bălți
During his visit to Bălți, Ambassador Mohapatra met Mr. Alexandr Petkov, Mayor of Bălți. The discussions focused on opportunities for cooperation in local economic development, investment, cultural exchanges and municipal-level partnerships. Both sides explored prospects for greater engagement between Indian businesses and the northern region of Moldova.
Recognizing the growing importance of sub-national diplomacy, the discussions highlighted the role of municipalities in promoting trade, investment, innovation and cultural exchanges. Stronger cooperation between Indian stakeholders and the Municipality of Bălți is expected to contribute to expanding the economic dimension of India–Moldova relations while creating new opportunities for collaboration at the local level.
Meeting with the Mayor of Orhei
In Orhei, Ambassador Mohapatra met Mr. Ramiz Ansarov, Mayor of Orhei. They discussed ongoing development initiatives, investment opportunities and avenues for strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides expressed interest in promoting practical cooperation between Indian and Moldovan municipalities.
The discussions underscored the value of city-to-city partnerships in complementing bilateral relations by fostering direct collaboration in urban development, business engagement, cultural cooperation and capacity-building, thereby broadening the scope of India–Moldova cooperation beyond the national level.
Meeting with the Mayor of Soroca
Ambassador Mohapatra also visited Soroca, where he met Mrs. Lilia Pilipețchi, Mayor of Soroca. Discussions focused on cooperation in local infrastructure development, investment, tourism and cultural exchanges. The visit provided an opportunity to explore areas of mutual interest and promote greater engagement at the local level.
The interaction reaffirmed the importance of local-level partnerships in strengthening bilateral ties through greater people-to-people contacts, promotion of tourism and cultural heritage, and exploration of new avenues for economic cooperation.
The Ambassador’s engagements reflected the shared commitment of India and the Republic of Moldova to further deepen bilateral relations through strengthened political dialogue, enhanced parliamentary cooperation, expanded economic engagement and greater collaboration between local governments. The visit demonstrated that parliamentary exchanges and sub-national partnerships can serve as important drivers for advancing the India–Moldova partnership and creating new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
(Based on a Press Release issued by the Embassy of India in Bucharest)
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