BUCHAREST (TIP): Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Romania, embarked on a dynamic series of engagements in Cluj-Napoca, Romania’s vibrant innovation hub, to further solidify bilateral cooperation. These interactions spanned industry, higher education, cultural exchange, and community building, reflecting India’s strategic vision for multifaceted partnerships with Romania amid shared goals of economic resilience, technological advancement, and people-to-people connectivity.
A highlight was Ambassador Mohapatra’s participation in the Indo-Romanian Forum “Bridging Minds, Markets, and Innovation,” organized by Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) via UBB Tech Transfer and the Indian Cultural Centre. The forum convened Indian business leaders thriving in Cluj-Napoca-spanning IT, pharma, and startups-with academics from diverse faculties. Participants brainstormed synergies in AI, innovation commercialization, and industry and university collaboration. paving the way for Romanian universities to partner with the industries for internships, job recruitment, and joint research etc, while catalyzing business-academia ecosystems.
Reinforcing academic bridges, the Ambassador visited the prestigious Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN), engaging with Rector Prof. Dr. Vasile Țopa and senior officials overseeing international affairs. Dialogues delved into expanding collaborative research, faculty exchanges, and dual-degree programs, with a focus on student mobility.
Emphasis was placed on drawing Indian talent to UTCN’s acclaimed engineering and IT curricula, potentially through scholarships and joint workshops. This builds on existing ties, positioning Romania as a gateway for Indian students to Europe’s technical ecosystem.
Ambassador Mohapatra toured Emerson’s state-of-the-art facilities in Romania, a key player in automation and engineering solutions. In productive discussions with company executives, he explored avenues for global supply chain integration, joint industrial ventures, and leveraging Romania’s skilled workforce alongside India’s manufacturing prowess. The facility tour illuminated cutting-edge production lines, underscoring operational excellence and the pivotal role of advanced engineering in fostering resilient, cross-border supply chains. Such collaborations hold immense potential for sectors like renewable energy and digital infrastructure, aligning with India’s “Make in India” initiative and Romania’s industrial ambitions.
On the cultural front, the Ambassador met with Brahma Kumaris representatives, joined by Ms. Teodora Suhan and Ms. Ioana Goga. Conversations emphasized spiritual dialogue, ethical leadership, and grassroots initiatives to nurture values-based understanding, fortifying the human foundation of India–Romania relations. Culminating the visit, Ambassador Mohapatra celebrated India’s 77th Republic Day with the local Indian community, graced by Mayor Mr. Emil Boc and Prefect Ms. Maria Forna. Joyful performances of classical dance, music, and patriotic tributes celebrated India’s democratic ethos, strengthening diaspora integration and societal bonds.
These initiatives exemplify the accelerating trajectory of India–Romania relations, anchored in democratic solidarity, burgeoning trade (nearing €1 billion annually), academic excellence, and cultural vibrancy. They signal India’s resolve to forge sustainable frameworks that propel mutual prosperity, innovation, and a shared role in global affairs.
(Based on a press release issued by the Embassy of India in Bucharest)
Be the first to comment