President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, 24 July called on Romanian companies to actively invest in and partner with India, describing the country as the world's fastest-growing major economy with vast potential for international collaboration. Addressing the India–Romania Business Forum in Bucharest, she positioned Romania as a natural strategic partner for India given its location, skilled workforce, and deep integration with the European Union.

Romania as a Gateway to Europe

President Murmu underscored Romania's dual role — as both a significant investment destination in its own right and a gateway to the broader European market. She noted that Romania's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, advanced industrial capabilities, and highly skilled human resources make it a uniquely valuable partner for Indian businesses looking to expand their European footprint.

The presence of a large Indian business delegation at the Forum, she said, reflects the growing confidence of Indian industries in Romanian opportunities and their intent to forge lasting commercial ties.

India–EU FTA and the Trade Opportunity

A central theme of President Murmu's address was the significance of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). With a combined market of nearly two billion people and a combined economic size of around $25 trillion, the India–EU FTA is among the most consequential economic partnerships being negotiated globally. She stressed that early and effective implementation of the agreement would create a predictable business environment, deepen value chain integration, and open new avenues for MSMEs, startups, and innovators on both sides.

This comes amid renewed momentum in India–EU trade talks, with both sides pushing to conclude a balanced agreement that addresses tariff barriers and regulatory alignment.

Key Sectors for Collaboration

President Murmu outlined several high-priority sectors where India and Romania can deepen cooperation. These include:

Energy security and green transition — where both nations share complementary interests in diversifying energy sources and accelerating decarbonisation.

Chemicals and fertilisers — leveraging Romania's established capabilities in this sector to address India's agricultural input needs.

Digital infrastructure and technology — India's globally recognised Digital Public Infrastructure, thriving startup ecosystem, and leadership in information technology, she said, can complement Romania's strengths in software engineering, cyber-security, and advanced research.

Transportation and logistics — including ports, railways, highways, logistics parks, and multi-modal transport networks.

Pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, and food processing — sectors where both countries have demonstrated strengths and where bilateral trade remains underdeveloped relative to potential.

What the President Said

Speaking directly to the business audience, President Murmu said: 'India's globally recognised Digital Public Infrastructure, thriving start-up ecosystem and leadership in information technology can complement Romania's strengths in software engineering, cyber-security, research and advanced technologies. There are also opportunities for our companies to collaborate in transportation and logistics sectors, including ports, railways, highways, logistics parks and multi-modal transport. We can also deepen cooperation in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture and food processing.'

She also highlighted India's domestic reforms — including simplified taxation and production-linked incentives — as evidence of its commitment to building a transparent, investor-friendly business environment.

What Comes Next

President Murmu expressed confidence that business communities on both sides would translate these emerging opportunities into concrete commercial partnerships, building resilient supply chains, generating employment, and promoting innovation. With the India–EU FTA negotiations advancing and bilateral diplomatic ties strengthening, the Bucharest forum may mark the beginning of a more structured phase of India–Romania economic engagement.