India and Bulgaria on Wednesday signed four MoUs, including one on civil nuclear cooperation, as President Ram Nath Kovind held detailed talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Rumen Radev and invited the Balkan nation to become a key partner of India in the Defence sector.
“We both agreed to substantially upgrade our economic partnership, one that would truly reflect the depth of our robust political relations,” Kovind said in a joint press statement after the talks.
He said India-Bulgaria ties are deeply rooted in history and on its strong foundation, the two nations have “together built a contemporary partnership based on shared democratic values and commitment to global peace and security”.
Kovind arrived here on Tuesday from Cyprus on the second leg of his eight-day three-nation visit to Europe to continue India’s high-level engagements with European countries.
The President held detailed talks with Radev and later the two leaders witnessed signing of four MoUs between India and Bulgaria on investment, tourism, civil nuclear cooperation and the establishment of Hindi Chair at Sofia University.
A programme of cooperation was also signed to enhance scientific cooperation. “The MoU on civil nuclear co-operation would facilitate collaboration on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, including nuclear safety and research,” Kovind said.
“Bulgaria can become a key partner for India in the defence sector under our ‘Make In India’ programme and in technology intensive sectors such as IT, logistics and infrastructure under our Digital India and Smart Cities programme,” he added.