New Delhi, June 13 (Representative) India and Romania held the 5th Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) yesterday in Bucharest during which they discussed the way forward in sectors such as Agriculture, Health, Defense, Space, Migration and Mobility and also discussed Ukraine and the India-EU FTA. The Indian delegation was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and the Romanian side was led by Traian Laurentiu Hristea, Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. The Indian Embassy in Bucharest in tweets said: “5th Round of India-Romania Foreign Office Consultations held today in Bucharest, co-chaired by H.E Mr. Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs of India and H.E Mr. Traian Laurentiu Hristea, Secretary of State for Global Affairs & Diplomatic Strategies, Romania, “Secy(West) H.E.Mr. Sanjay Verma met Ms. Rozalia-Ibolya Biro, Chairperson, Foreign Policy Committee, Chamber of Deputies of Romanian Parliament. Ms. Claudia-Mihaela Banu, President & members of the Committee and Parliamentary Friendship Group were also present.”
India and Romania are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023. The two countries share warm and friendly relations. Bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled during the last three years to above US$ 1.3 billion, a statement said. Indian investments in Romania have increased in the recent years, and is around US$1.7 billion, with more than 550 companies present there. About 50 Romanian companies also have a presence in India. Discussions during the Consultations were focussed on encouraging greater bilateral trade and investments. During the FOCs, both sides reviewed their bilateral relations and discussed the way forward in crucial sectors such as Agriculture, Health, S&T, Defense, Space, Migration and Mobility, and Renewable energy. They also shared their perspectives on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including – Afghanistan, Ukraine, European Union, United Nations Reforms, India-EU FTA and India’s G20 Presidency. During his visit, Secretary (West) also called on Biró Rozália-Ibolya, Chairperson, Committee for Foreign Policy, Chamber of Deputies of Romanian Parliament. The two sides agreed to hold the next FOC in India in early 2024.