New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu departed on Sunday for official state visits to Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors, including commerce, technology, and cultural ties.

The initial phase of the three-nation visit begins in Moldova on Monday, representing the maiden visit by an Indian Head of State to the Eastern European nation.

During the visit, President Murmu is slated to engage in delegation-level discussions with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, besides meeting Igor Grosu, the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.

The President will additionally interact with representatives of the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, speak at a Business Forum, and engage with the Indian diaspora.

'India and Moldova enjoy warm and friendly relations. This visit would mark a significant and historical milestone and elevate bilateral ties to a broad-based partnership,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Friday.

The ministry added that 'There is good scope for mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of agriculture, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, IT and education'.

Following her stay in Moldova, President Murmu will travel to North Macedonia for a two-day visit from July 21-22, following an invitation from President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. This landmark visit will similarly be the inaugural visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.

The scheduled itinerary includes bilateral discussions with President Siljanovska-Davkova, meetings with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski alongside the Assembly President, and an address to the national parliament.

President Murmu is also slated to speak at the India-North Macedonia Business Forum, as both nations look to expand commercial ties in focus areas such as farming, pharmaceuticals, science, and information technology.

Briefing reporters on Friday, MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George noted, 'The three-nation visit reflects India's growing engagement with central and eastern Europe, and reaffirms our commitment to strengthening our partnerships with the countries in the region.'

'It also complements India's broader engagement with Europe and the strategic partnership with the European Union,' George added.

For the concluding segment of the visit, the President will travel to Romania from July 23-25 at the invitation of President Nicusor Dan, marking the first visit by an Indian President to the Southeastern European country in more than thirty years.

President Murmu will hold talks with President Dan, interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Senate President Mircea Abrudean, and Chamber of Deputies President Sorin Grindeanu, alongside interactions with the Romania-India Parliamentary Friendship Group.

Her schedule further features an address to the India-Romania Business Forum and a meeting with the local Indian community.

According to the MEA, Romania represents a crucial partner within the European bloc, and the upcoming finalisation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to significantly boost bilateral economic relations.

The high-level diplomatic mission underscores the priority New Delhi accords to deepening ties with these three individual states as well as expanding its geopolitical footprint across the broader Eastern European region.

Significantly, Moldova, North Macedonia, and Romania had all previously denounced the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, reiterating their solidarity with India in combating global terrorism. (ANI)