India and Moldova Explore Agricultural Cooperation in High-Level Meeting

In a significant move aimed at enhancing bilateral ties, Shobha Karandlaje, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India, and Vladimir Bolea, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries of Moldova, met at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi.

The meeting commenced with Minister Shobha Karandlaje extending a welcome to the Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and his delegation. She highlighted the 31-year-long amicable diplomatic relations between India and Moldova and expressed her delight at the recent launch of the Moldovan Resident Mission in New Delhi, which is expected to bolster collaboration between the two nations.

One of the pivotal topics discussed during the meeting was the United Nations' declaration of the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM), a proposal initiated by the Government of India. Minister Karandlaje emphasized the manifold health and environmental benefits of millets and their potential to significantly contribute to food security. Both ministers acknowledged the importance of this initiative and explored avenues for collaboration in promoting millets and sharing knowledge and technology related to their cultivation and utilization.

Another focal point of discussion was the immense potential for increasing bilateral trade in agricultural commodities. The officials from both sides explored ways to mutually cooperate in the agricultural sector with the aim of boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and discovering new markets for agricultural products.

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea made a noteworthy proposal during the meeting, expressing Moldova's interest in exporting vegetable oils to India while importing fertilizers and pesticides from the country. He emphasized that Moldovan products adhere to EU standards, ensuring their safety and quality for Indian consumers. Additionally, he highlighted Moldova's cultural heritage in producing wine and apples and expressed interest in exporting these products to India.

Minister Vladimir Bolea also congratulated India on becoming the world's fifth-largest economy and commended its role as the G20 Presidency. He further extended Moldova's support to India's bid for a seat on the UN Security Council in 2027.

In response, Minister Shobha Karandlaje expressed her agreement and offered to share a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Moldovan side in the near future. She also invited Moldova to propose areas of cooperation in exchange for technology and knowledge transfer, solidifying their partnership in the agricultural sector.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Minister Shobha Karandlaje accepting the invitation extended by Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea to visit Moldova. Such high-level engagements are expected to pave the way for increased bilateral cooperation and mutual benefits in the realm of agriculture and beyond.