President Murmu back in Delhi after historic 3-nation Europe tour
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu's three-nation European tour was packed with historic firsts — she became the first Indian President to visit Moldova, and the first to visit Romania in nearly 30 years. Three MoUs were signed in Bucharest alone, signalling a deliberate push to activate long-dormant diplomatic corridors in southeastern Europe.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu returned to New Delhi on 26 July 2025 after completing State visits to Moldova , North Macedonia , and Romania .
She became the first Indian President ever to visit Moldova , meeting Speaker Igor Grosu and the Parliamentary Friendship Group in Chisinau .
The Romania leg was the first Indian Presidential visit in nearly 30 years ; talks were held with President Nicusor Dan at Cotroceni Palace , Bucharest .
Three MoUs were signed with Romania covering science and technology , sports , and a Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Bucharest .
In North Macedonia , President Murmu met President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje .
The delegation included MoS Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya and MPs Dr.
Dinesh Sharma and Vijay Baghel .
President Droupadi Murmu returned to New Delhi on Sunday, 26 July after completing her three-nation State visit to Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania — a diplomatic sweep through southeastern and eastern Europe aimed at deepening India's bilateral ties with all three countries. The official X handle of the President of India confirmed her return, posting: 'President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Delhi after completing her State visits to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania.'
Romania: First Presidential Visit in Nearly Three Decades
The final leg of the tour took President Murmu to Romania, where she held wide-ranging talks with Romanian President Nicusor Dan at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest. She was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour, according to the President's Secretariat. The two leaders covered key aspects of the India-Romania partnership and exchanged views on regional, global, and multilateral issues.
The visit resulted in the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering science and technology, sports, and the establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Bucharest. Notably, this was the first State Visit by an Indian President to Romania in nearly 30 years — underscoring the significance of the renewed engagement.
North Macedonia Stop: Talks with President and Prime Minister
Before Romania, President Murmu visited North Macedonia — the second stop of the tour — where she was received in the capital Skopje by Foreign Affairs Minister Timcho Mucunski. She held separate discussions with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, with talks focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and deepening the India-North Macedonia relationship.
Moldova: A Historic First for India
The tour opened in Moldova, where President Murmu made history by becoming the first Indian President ever to visit the country. During her stay in Chisinau, she visited the Parliament of Moldova and met Speaker Igor Grosu along with members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group. She was received at Chisinau International Airport by Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mihai Popșoi.
According to the President's Secretariat, President Murmu expressed confidence that leaders of both countries would continue working to build a 'stronger, future-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership.'
Delegation and Diplomatic Significance
President Murmu was accompanied on the tour by Minister of State Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya (Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) and Members of Parliament Dr. Dinesh Sharma and Vijay Baghel. The three-nation visit reflects India's broader push to expand diplomatic and economic footprints in regions that have historically seen limited high-level engagement from New Delhi.
With MoUs signed, historic firsts logged, and bilateral frameworks refreshed, the outcomes of this tour are expected to feed into India's evolving European engagement strategy in the months ahead.
Point of View
Two historic firsts, and three MoUs — yet this visit has received far less attention than India's engagements with Western Europe. That gap itself is telling. Moldova and North Macedonia are not traditional Indian diplomatic priorities, but their strategic positioning — one bordering Ukraine, the other in the NATO-aspirant Western Balkans — makes outreach now more consequential than it might appear. India's choice to send the President, rather than a minister, signals deliberate elevation. Whether the MoUs translate into trade and people-to-people momentum, or remain framework documents, will determine whether this tour is a genuine inflection point or a well-photographed courtesy call.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries did President Murmu visit on her three-nation tour?
President Droupadi Murmu visited Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania on her three-nation State visit, returning to New Delhi on 26 July 2025. The tour marked significant diplomatic outreach to southeastern and eastern Europe.
Was this the first time an Indian President visited Moldova?
Yes, President Murmu became the first Indian President ever to visit Moldova. During her stay in Chisinau, she met Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group.
What agreements were signed during the Romania visit?
Three MoUs were signed between India and Romania covering science and technology, sports, and the establishment of a Chair of Indian Studies at the University of Bucharest. The visit was also the first by an Indian President to Romania in nearly 30 years.
Who accompanied President Murmu on the European tour?
The delegation included Minister of State Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya (Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) and Members of Parliament Dr. Dinesh Sharma and Vijay Baghel.
What did President Murmu discuss in North Macedonia?
In Skopje, President Murmu held discussions with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors and deepening India-North Macedonia relations.
