Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova: Bulgaria Regards India as a Priority Partner in the Asia-Pacific Region
10 June 2026 News
Bulgaria regards India as a priority partner in the dynamically developing Asia-Pacific region. This was stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova during a meeting held today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. This was his first official visit to Bulgaria in his capacity as Minister of External Affairs. During the meeting, the two ministers highlighted the strong bilateral relations between Bulgaria and India and expressed their readiness to further develop them. Minister Petrova noted that the active high-level political dialogue remains an important driver for the expansion of bilateral cooperation.
The two top diplomats noted the positive development of bilateral trade and discussed opportunities to strengthen investment ties between Bulgaria and India. High technologies, artificial intelligence, innovation, the pharmaceutical industry, science, the economy and entrepreneurship were identified as areas with significant potential for cooperation. Current issues on the international agenda also featured prominently in the discussions.
During the meeting, the Bulgarian side reaffirmed its support for the further deepening of the strategic partnership between the European Union and India in the context of growing global and geopolitical challenges.
In the fields of education, science and culture, the two ministers agreed on the need to expand cooperation through new programmes and initiatives for the period 2026 - 2029 aimed at promoting academic exchange and joint research projects. Minister Petrova presented opportunities for partnership through Bulgaria’s established scientific and technological infrastructure, including Sofia Tech Park and the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT).
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