This article covers diplomatic relations between India and Bulgaria: how they began, the high-level visits exchanged by the two countries and the treaties and agreements they have signed. It is based on the MEA brief of April 2020, the bilateral brief on India-Bulgaria relations published by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Because the brief dates from April 2020, it does not cover later developments. Since then, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Sofia on June 10, 2026, where he held talks with Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova and called on Prime Minister Rumen Radev.

Establishment of relations

According to the MEA brief of April 2020, India and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations in 1954. The brief states that people-to-people contacts and cultural links pre-date this, with traces of contacts between the peoples of the two countries as early as the 8th Century AD.

The brief describes relations as "longstanding, warm and friendly". It adds that, despite political changes in both countries over the preceding six decades, India and Bulgaria have developed what it calls "a close, cordial and multi-dimensional relationship".

High-level visits from India

The brief lists the following high-level visits from India to Bulgaria:

  • President Ram Nath Kovind (2018)
  • Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (2003)
  • Vice President Krishan Kant (2000)
  • President S. D. Sharma (1994)
  • Vice President R. Venkataraman (1985)
  • PM Indira Gandhi (1981)
  • President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1980)
  • President V.V. Giri (1976)
  • PM Indira Gandhi (1967)
  • Vice-President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (1954)

State Visit of September 2018

President Ram Nath Kovind, accompanied by Mrs. Savita Kovind, paid a State Visit to Bulgaria from 4-6 September 2018 at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. The brief describes it as the first high level visit from India to Bulgaria after 15 years.

The President's delegation included Mr. Parshottam Rupala, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj; Members of Parliament Mr. Sunil Kumar Singh and Mr. Ram Shakal; Secretary to the President Mr. Sanjay Kothari; and Secretary (West) Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam, together with other senior officials.

Five MoUs and documents were signed during the visit, on cooperation in:

  • investment
  • science and technology
  • civil nuclear energy
  • tourism
  • the establishment of a Hindi Chair at Sofia University

External Affairs Minister's visit of February 2019

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Smt. Sushma Swaraj paid an official visit to Bulgaria on 16-17 February 2019, as a follow-up to the President's State Visit. She met the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, and the two discussed bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

According to the brief, the two ministers agreed that bilateral economic cooperation was at a good standing, but that much more could be done, including in the economy, science and technology, education and agriculture.

Other visits from India

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employment Shri B. Dattatreya led an Indian delegation to the 5th ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers' Conference, held in Sofia on 2 December 2015.

High-level visits from Bulgaria

The brief lists visits to India by Bulgarian Presidents Mr. Petar Stoyanov (1998) and Mr. Todor Zhivkov (1976 and 1983), and by Prime Ministers Mr. Sergei Stanishev (2007) and Mr. Stanko Todorov (1974 and 1980).

Other Bulgarian visits recorded in the brief include:

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Ivailo Kalfin, in February 2009.
  • Foreign Minister Mr. Kristian Vigenin, in November 2013, for the ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
  • Ms. Mariyana Nikolova, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic and Demographic Policy, from 19-21 November 2019. She was accompanied by Mr. Velik Zanchev, Deputy Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications, and Mr. Lyuben Kanchev, Deputy Minister of Tourism, and met the EAM, the Commerce and Industry Minister and the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism.

Visits connected with the Joint Commission and tourism are described in the trade and investment article of this guide.

Treaties and agreements

The brief lists a range of agreements between the two countries without giving their dates. Those of a political, legal and security character are:

  • Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations
  • Combating Organized Crime, International Terrorism and Illicit Trafficking in Narcotics and Psychotropic substances
  • Extradition
  • Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters
  • Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters
  • Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons
  • Defence Cooperation

Agreements in other sectors named in the brief include:

  • Science and Technology, and a Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology
  • Programme of Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine
  • Information Technologies
  • Cooperation in Youth Affairs and Sports
  • Protocol of Intent on Labour Relations
  • Employment and Social Security
  • Civil Nuclear Cooperation

Economic, tourism, cultural and travel agreements are covered in the other articles of this guide.