New Delhi, July 19 (HS): President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday embarked on a week-long State visit to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania, aimed at strengthening India's engagement with Eastern Europe and expanding bilateral cooperation across political, economic and strategic sectors.

The President is visiting the three countries from July 19 to 25 at the invitation of their respective Presidents.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the tour marks the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Moldova and North Macedonia, and the first Presidential visit to Romania in more than three decades.

The visit will impart fresh momentum to India's relations with these countries and reflects India's growing engagement with Central and Eastern Europe, the MEA said, adding that it complements India's broader partnership with Europe and its strategic engagement with the European Union.

In Moldova, President Murmu will hold delegation-level talks with President Maia Sandu and meet Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu. She will also interact with members of the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address a Business Forum and meet members of the Indian diaspora.

The President will then travel to North Macedonia for a two-day visit from July 21 to 22. During the visit, she is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, meet Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Assembly President Afrim Gashi, and address the country's Parliament.

She will also participate in the India-North Macedonia Business Forum, where both countries are expected to explore cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, and information technology.

In the final leg of her visit, President Murmu will travel to Romania from July 23 to 25 at the invitation of President Nicușor Dan. The visit will be the first by an Indian President to Romania since 1994.

During her stay, she will hold talks with President Dan, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Senate President Mircea Abrudean and Chamber of Deputies President Sorin Grindeanu. She will also interact with the Romania-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address the India-Romania Business Forum and meet members of the Indian community.

The three-nation tour is expected to deepen India's diplomatic, economic and parliamentary engagement with Eastern Europe while opening new avenues for cooperation in trade, investment, technology and people-to-people exchanges.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar