India & Romania To Boost Skilled Workforce Mobility & Trade Cooperation

New Delhi, Nov 4 (KNN) During his visit to Bucharest for the 19th India–Romania Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) meeting, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada held substantive discussions with Romania’s Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Petre-Florin Manole, focusing on expanding skills-based mobility.

He underlined India’s demographic and economic strengths, noting its young workforce, rising role as a global technology and manufacturing hub, and growing strategic relevance in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

Romania’s estimated annual need for 100,000 non-EU workers was discussed, with both sides expressing readiness to facilitate opportunities for around 30,000 skilled Indian professionals each year, aligned with Romanian labour market priorities.

The ministers committed to strengthening mechanisms for safe and orderly migration, including cooperation on recruitment, language and vocational training, employment standards, and fast-track processing for trusted employers.

They also tasked officials to explore mutual recognition of qualifications and discussed the possibility of a Social Security Totalisation Agreement.

Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in education, research, innovation, and cultural exchange to support talent development and deepen people-to-people links.

In a separate meeting, Prasada met Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana-Silvia Țoiu, to advance trade and investment cooperation. 
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a balanced India–EU Free Trade Agreement within the year.

They reviewed bilateral trade, with India’s exports to Romania crossing USD 1.03 billion in FY 2024–25 and total trade reaching USD 2.98 billion in FY 2023–24.

Priority areas identified for deeper supply-chain integration included petroleum products, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, and ceramics, along with cooperation on standards, testing, and investment facilitation.

Both governments agreed to maintain momentum through regular high-level exchanges and coordinated follow-up, including initiatives to streamline trade processes, develop a mobility framework, and strengthen investor engagement.

(KNN Bureau)