This article covers capacity building and sectoral cooperation between India and Romania: training for Romanian officials and diplomats, Romania's medical assistance to India during the COVID-19 pandemic, its support during the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine, and cooperation in defence, solar energy and traditional medicine. It is based on the MEA brief of May 2026.

ITEC and training programmes

According to the MEA brief of May 2026, Romania has utilised over 120 ITEC slots to date. In 2024-25, 6 Romanian participants attended ITEC programmes in India.

Romanian diplomats have also attended courses conducted by SSIFS. The brief records the following:

  • One Romanian diplomat attended the 5th Special Course for Diplomats from ASEM Countries at SSIFS in October 2019.
  • One diplomat from the Romanian Foreign Ministry was nominated for the 3rd Annual Disarmament and International Security Affairs Fellowship Programme at SSIFS, New Delhi, scheduled for 14 March-01 April 2022; the course was postponed.
  • One diplomat from the Romanian Diplomatic Institute took part in the 48th Annual Meeting of the International Forum on Diplomatic Training (IFDT) in New Delhi on 14-18 November 2022.

Programmes for legislators and journalists

4 MPs and 1 Mayor from Romania took part in ICCR's Gen Next Democracy Programme in New Delhi on 05-14 September 2022. One journalist from Romania visited India from 28 October to 5 November 2025 on a familiarisation visit organised by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Medical assistance during COVID-19

The brief records that Romania was the second European Union country to send medical assistance to India during the second wave of COVID-19. In April 2021 it dispatched a special flight carrying:

  • 80 oxygen concentrators
  • 75 oxygen cylinders
  • 20 high-flow oxygen therapy devices

Evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine

During the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine, the Romanian government eased entry requirements for Indian citizens at the Ukraine-Romania border. According to the brief, it also provided shelters, food and assistance at the airport.

In a telephone conversation on 28 February 2022, PM Modi thanked the then Romanian PM Ciuca for Romania's support in evacuating Indians through Romania. From 1-7 March 2022, Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia visited Romania as the Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Operation Ganga. He called on the Prime Minister of Romania, Mr. Nicolae Ciucă, and held an online meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr. Sorin Grindeanu.

Defence and security

A Bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement between India and Romania was signed in New Delhi on 28 March 2023. Earlier, in November 2014, Mr. Sorin Encutescu, State Counsellor for Defence & Security Issues (Deputy NSA) in the Romanian Prime Minister's Office, visited India.

Multilateral cooperation and solar energy

According to the brief, India and Romania regularly support each other on various multilateral issues and collaborate closely at the UN and other international organisations.

Romania signed the Framework Agreement for joining the International Solar Alliance in Dubai on 3 December 2023.

Ayurveda and traditional medicine

The brief states that Ayurveda, India's traditional system of medicine, is gaining traction in Romania, with an increasing number of local doctors and practitioners taking it up. AMN Romania regularly organises dedicated events, and Ayurveda Day 2025 was celebrated in October with more than 100 Indian and Romanian experts and enthusiasts.

Romania also hosts the first AYUSH Information Cell, in Bucharest, to promote Indian systems of medicine. During his visit to Romania on 18-20 September 2018, Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated an AYUSH Information Cell and released a book on Ayurveda.