India And Moldova Finding Avenues To Enhance Ties

Mr. Tudor Ulianovschi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova is on a visit to India for enhancing bilateral ties. He held meetings with Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, India’s Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

India and Moldova have been expanding their bilateral relations since quite sometime now. India recognized Moldova on December 28, 1991 and diplomatic relations were established on March 20, 1992.The relations between the two countries have been warm, stable and friendly. The significance of the relationship lies in the fact that there are no disputes between the two. Both countries have been supporting each other on matters of mutual interest at multilateral fora including the UN.

The leaders of both countries recognize that visits at the level of President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are important to upgrade and elevate the level of bilateral exchanges. Hence the visits that have been taking place between the two countries highlight this factor. In July, the Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova and Mr. Ulianovschi discussed ways to enhance the Moldovan-Indian relations, the cooperation within the international organizations, as well as the opportunities to diversify the commercial and economic ties. One of the outcome of this dialogue was the  decision to open a diplomatic mission of the Republic of Moldova in New Delhi has been adopted, with the aim to create the necessary premises to further enhance the relations between the two countries on all dimensions.  Moldova usually accredits its Ambassador in Baku, Azerbaijan concurrently to India, whereas Indian Mission in Romania is concurrently accredited to Moldova. Moldova has had an Honorary Consul in New Delhi since 2011.

The economic relations between the two countries are expanding. The trade volume between India and Moldova in 2017 was US $ 9.19 million. Major articles of exports to Moldova include pharma products, organic chemicals, meat, edible fruits and nuts, spices, tea, coffee, cereals, oil seeds, sugar and confectionary, salt, sulphur, stone, textile and garments, electrical machinery and equipment, footwear, cement etc. Main articles of Indian imports from Moldova are Plastics and articles made from palstics, wool and woven fabric, iron, steel, copper, aluminium, electronic machinery, optic material etc.

India has been supporting Moldova in many aspects. India provides scholarships for the training of Moldovan civil servants, through the Technical and Economic Assistance Program of the Republic of India, including for the training courses provided to the young diplomats by the Foreign Service Institute of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. In July this year, the head of the Moldovan diplomacy expressed the interest of the Moldovan Foreign Affairs and European Integration to establish a partnership with the counterpart institution in India, with the aim of exchanging experience on diplomatic staff and national civil servants training in the context of the creation of the National Diplomatic Institute within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MFAEI). India is keen on expanding economic ties in areas such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and information technology and other areas.  The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships are also popular amongst the Moldovan students.

Indian culture has taken its roots in the Moldovan society.  India’s yoga and spiritualism, Indian languages, dance and drama are becoming popular in the country.

In fact, the current visit of Mr. Ulianovschi to India represents an important step for the expansion and further development of the bilateral relations, including for the initiation of new investment projects with the participation of Indian companies.  In a changing global scenario, the relationship between India and Moldova is important based in the spirit of the Declaration on the basic principles and directions of cooperation between Moldova and India, signed in 1993, in New Delhi.

Script: Dr. Indrani Talukdar, Strategic Analyst On Russia And East Europe