New Delhi: A Parliamentary Delegation from Bulgaria led by President of National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov called on Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas today (January 5).

India and Bulgaria highlighted longstanding friendly relations between the two countries based on historical ties.

Both countries also shared their democratic values during discussion.

During discussion India and Bulgaria, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cultural, trade and people-to-people connection. 

Office of the Vice President of India posted on X: 

"A Parliamentary Delegation from Bulgaria led by H.E. Mr. Rosen ZHELYAZKOV, President of National Assembly called on Hon'ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas today. Discussions highlighted longstanding friendly relations between the two countries based on historical ties and shared democratic values. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cultural, trade & people-to-people connect. @MEAIndia"

On the same day (January 5), President of National Assembly of Bulgaria Rosen Zhelyazkov held a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

They underlined the strong friendly relations between India and Bulgaria. 

During the meeting, they also shared values of democracy, rule of law, people-centric governance and transparency.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla wrote on X: 

"Had a warm interaction with President of National Assembly of Bulgaria, HE Mr Rosen Zhelyazkov. Underlined the strong friendly relations between India and Bulgaria, and our shared values of democracy, rule of law, people-centric governance and transparency. Besides emphasizing on strengthening parliamentary cooperation, also stressed on tapping the immense scope for bilateral partnership in important areas like renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and agriculture."

The relations between India and Bulgaria are longstanding, warm and friendly. The two countries, which happen to be ancient civilizations, are proud of their glorious cultural heritage. 

People to people contacts and cultural links between the two countries predate the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1954 and there are traces of contacts between the peoples of the two countries as early as the 8th Century AD. 

President of India Ram Nath Kovind, accompanied by his wife, Savita Kovind, paid a State Visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev from 4-6 September 2018. 

External Affairs Minister of India (EAM), Sushma Swaraj paid an official visit to Bulgaria on 16-17 February 2019. 

The visit of EAM was a follow-up visit to the State Visit of the President of India to Bulgaria in September 2018. During the visit, EAM met Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Ekaterina Zaharieva.