President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday departed on a landmark three-nation state visit to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania, a diplomatic outreach that underscores India's growing engagement with Eastern Europe.

The visit marks several historic milestones. Murmu will become the first Indian President to visit both Moldova and North Macedonia, while her visit to Romania is the first by an Indian Head of State in more than 30 years.

Her tour begins in Moldova on July 20, where she will hold delegation-level talks with President Maia Sandu, meet Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, interact with the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address the India-Moldova Business Forum, and engage with members of the Indian diaspora.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the visit is expected to elevate India-Moldova ties to a broader partnership, with cooperation likely to expand in agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information technology and education.

Murmu will then travel to North Macedonia from July 21 to 22 at the invitation of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

She will hold bilateral talks with the President, meet Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, interact with parliamentary leaders, address the country's Assembly and speak at the India-North Macedonia Business Forum.

Both countries are looking to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, IT, and IT-enabled services.

The final leg of the tour will take Murmu to Romania from July 23 to 25. During the visit, she will meet President Nicusor Dan, interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Senate President Mircea Abrudean, and Chamber of Deputies President Sorin Grindeanu.

She is also scheduled to address the India-Romania Business Forum and interact with members of the Indian community.

MEA Secretary (West) Sibi George said the visit reflects India's expanding engagement with Central and Eastern Europe and complements New Delhi's broader strategic partnership with the European Union.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the three-nation visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into India's bilateral ties with Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania.

The ministry also noted that all three countries had strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism.