Embassy of India, Bucharest

to Romania and Moldova

Embassy of India

Bucharest

Press Release

Ambassador of India Visits Iași and Ungheni to Strengthen Economic, Technology and People-to-People Partnerships

The Ambassador of India to Romania and the Republic of Moldova, H.E. Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, undertook an official visit to Iași, Romania, and Ungheni, Republic of Moldova, on 28 August 2026, as part of India’s continued engagement with Romania’s North-East Region and the Republic of Moldova.

The visit focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, technology, innovation, education, culture and people-to-people relations, while identifying opportunities for greater engagement between Indian and regional institutions, businesses and communities. The visit assumes particular significance in the context of the decision taken during the visit of the Hon’ble President of India to Romania to work towards doubling bilateral trade between India and Romania over the next three years. It also comes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Romania in 2028, which is being marked through a programme focused on innovation and the further expansion of the bilateral partnership.

Iași: Expanding Economic and Technology Cooperation

During his third visit to Iași, Ambassador Mohapatra met the Mayor of Iași, Mr. Mihai Chirica, and discussed opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between India and the city and the wider North-East Region of Romania. The discussions covered trade and investment, renewable energy, infrastructure, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, higher education, research and innovation, and culture.

Iași already has experience of cooperation with Indian business, including in sectors such as metallurgy and pharmaceuticals. The presence of HCLTech, a leading Indian IT company employing around 500 people in the city, provides a strong example of the potential for expanding India–Iași cooperation in information technology and digital transformation. Ambassador Mohapatra highlighted India’s growing capabilities in technology and innovation and expressed interest in connecting Indian companies and institutions with the technology and innovation ecosystem of Iași and the wider North-East Region.

Mayor Mihai Chirica presented Iași’s strategic development initiatives, including its aerospace cluster, artificial intelligence initiatives undertaken with the academic community, and opportunities in energy production. As a concrete follow-up, the Ambassador and the Mayor agreed to facilitate contacts between the Iași Chamber of Commerce and Indian chambers of commerce and business organisations, including the Indian Chamber of Commerce for Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Such engagement would seek to promote business delegations, B2B meetings, investment partnerships and technology cooperation.

The Ambassador also expressed interest in facilitating linkages between the technology cluster of Iași and relevant Indian technology, startup and innovation ecosystems, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, aerospace and research and development.

The Ambassador invited Mayor Mihai Chirica to visit India during 2026, with a view to further strengthening institutional and economic links.

Innovation and the 80th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

The engagement in Iași forms part of the broader preparations for the 80th anniversary of India–Romania diplomatic relations in 2028. The milestone provides an opportunity not only to celebrate eight decades of friendship but also to shape the next phase of the partnership, with innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, investment and youth exchanges playing an increasingly important role.

Iași’s strong academic and technology ecosystem, combined with India’s capabilities in information technology, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and advanced technologies, offers considerable scope for mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Ambassador also welcomed the growing cultural engagement between India and Iași, including the second edition of the Holi Festival held in the city in April 2026.

Engagement with Ungheni, Republic of Moldova

Following his engagements in Iași, Ambassador Mohapatra travelled to Ungheni, Republic of Moldova, where he met Mayor Mr. Vitalie Vrabie and representatives of the municipal administration. The discussions explored opportunities for direct cooperation between Indian and Moldovan institutions, businesses and communities in areas including economic engagement and investment, tourism, education, culture, digitalisation and local development.

The Ambassador emphasised that local-level engagement can complement government-to-government relations and create practical foundations for stronger India-Moldova cooperation. The geographical position of Ungheni, on the Prut River and close to the Romanian border, provides an additional regional dimension to this engagement.

The Ambassador highlighted the particular significance of 2026 in India–Moldova relations, as the year marks the first-ever visit of the President of India to the Republic of Moldova. He noted that high-level engagement should also be reflected through stronger connections between cities, institutions, businesses and communities.

Guest of Honour at Days of Ungheni Municipality

A significant highlight of the visit was Ambassador Mohapatra’s participation as Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the Days of Ungheni Municipality, held as part of celebrations marking the 564th anniversary of the first documented mention of Ungheni in 1462. Addressing the ceremony, the Ambassador conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Ungheni and highlighted the importance of friendship, mutual respect, cultural understanding and direct community connections in building lasting relations between countries.

The visit to Ungheni provided an opportunity to explore new avenues of economic, technological, educational, tourism and cultural cooperation, while bringing India–Moldova relations closer to the local community.

The engagements in Iași and Ungheni underscored the considerable potential for India to deepen its engagement with Romania’s North-East Region and the Republic of Moldova. India will continue to work with partners in both countries to develop practical partnerships in trade, investment, technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to a more dynamic and mutually beneficial India-Romania-Moldova regional partnership.

Bucharest
September 02, 2026