External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for a more dynamic and forward-looking partnership between India and Bulgaria, emphasizing the need to build on the strong foundations of bilateral relations and adapt them to emerging global opportunities.
Speaking after talks with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova-Chamova in Sofia, Jaishankar said India and Bulgaria share longstanding and friendly ties. However, he stressed that both countries should now work towards transforming that relationship into a modern partnership focused on the future. He noted that cooperation should expand in areas such as trade, investment, technology, innovation, and defence.
The External Affairs Minister highlighted India’s rapid economic growth and its expanding role in global supply chains. He said Indian companies are increasingly seeking international collaborations and investments, creating new opportunities for countries like Bulgaria to deepen economic engagement with India.
During his visit, Jaishankar also met Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev. The leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in sectors including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, space, defence, mobility, tourism, and the creative industries. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
Both sides acknowledged the untapped potential in bilateral relations and expressed a desire to boost institutional cooperation and business-to-business engagement. Bulgarian officials emphasized the importance of regular interactions and stronger economic partnerships to unlock new opportunities for growth.
Jaishankar’s visit forms part of India’s broader outreach to Europe and comes at a time when New Delhi is seeking deeper cooperation with European partners. The discussions in Sofia also touched on India-European Union relations and ways to enhance collaboration in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The visit is expected to give fresh momentum to India-Bulgaria ties and open new avenues for cooperation in strategic and high-growth sectors.
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