Moldova, India to sign new cooperation agreement in higher education

Moldova and India will sign a new cooperation agreement in the field of higher education. The document is expected to strengthen the collaboration between the two countries in the area of education. President Maia Sandu has made statements to this effect at a joint news conference with President of India Droupadi Murmu,  on an official visit to Chisinau today.

The Moldovan head of state noted that the relations between Moldova and India had witnessed positive dynamics in recent years and cooperation in the field of education is one of the key directions of the bilateral partnership.

Presently, around 1,400 students from India are studying at universities of Moldova, most of them at the Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

“The relationship between our countries also means people-to-people ties. About 1,400 students from India are studying at our universities today, most of them in medicine. Negotiations on a new cooperation agreement in the field of higher education have been concluded and it will be signed soon,” Maia Sandu said.

The Moldovan president underlined that Moldova aims to further develop its relations with India in more areas, including trade, investment, energy, health, information technology and education.

For her part, President of India Droupadi Murmu said that education and capacity building were important pillars of relations between the two countries.

“Education and capacity building have always been among the strongest pillars of our relations. We have agreed to expand academic exchanges, as well as the institutional partnerships between our universities,” Droupadi Murmu said.

The President of India informed that her country intended to expand training opportunities for professionals from Moldova.

“India is also pleased to double the number of seats for special courses and scholarships for professionals from Moldova,” Droupadi Murmu added.

At the same time, the two countries plan to develop cooperation in the field of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and cyber diplomacy.

“We will develop cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, and diplomats from Moldova are invited to participate in specific courses and seminars focused on artificial intelligence and cyber diplomacy in institutions in India,” the President of India said.

The visit of India’s President Droupadi Murmu is the first official visit by an Indian head of state to Moldova since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992.

The relations between Moldova and India have witnessed a positive evolution in recent years. In October 2024, in New Delhi, bilateral political consultations between the two countries were resumed after a 21-year hiatus. In December 2024, Moldova inaugurated its Embassy in New Delhi and in February 2025, India opened its market to Moldovan apples.

Another important element of bilateral relations is cooperation in the field of education. More than 1,400 students from India are studying at universities of Moldova, most of them at the Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy.

India, with a population of over 1.4 billion inhabitants, is one of the largest economies of the world and one of the most dynamic major economies. This country represents a partner of growing strategic importance for Moldova.