In a world where digital innovation is the new currency of progress, the partnership between India and Bulgaria quietly emerges as a model of international digital cooperation. Imagine the vibrant energy of Bengaluru’s tech hubs merging with the historic charm of Sofia’s cobbled streets - a fusion where ancient cultures meet cutting-edge code and tradition dances with transformation. As India cements its status as a global IT powerhouse and Bulgaria rises as a digital gateway to Europe, the stage is set for a remarkable alliance.
This partnership is more than just business; it’s a meeting of minds and ambitions. From artificial intelligence to green energy and smart manufacturing to secure digital infrastructure, India and Bulgaria are weaving a narrative that transcends borders. Their collaboration boosts economic growth and nurtures innovation ecosystems, empowering youth and setting new benchmarks for sustainable development.
As the world races toward a digital future, the India-Bulgaria connection stands out for its blend of creativity, resilience, and vision. Together, they are not just adapting to the digital age-they are shaping it, proving that when diverse strengths unite, the possibilities are as boundless as the imagination itself.
Table of Contents
Digital Transformation and Tech Collaboration: India and Bulgaria’s Expanding Partnership
India and Bulgaria are entering a new era of bilateral cooperation, with digital transformation and technology collaboration emerging as central pillars of their relationship. Driven by mutual interests in innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development, both nations leverage their complementary strengths to unlock new opportunities in IT, high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, and beyond.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties Through Technology
Bulgaria and India have committed to deepening their partnership in the digital and technology sectors. Bulgaria views Indian investment as particularly promising, particularly in its industrial zones, where Indian companies can establish export-oriented manufacturing for the European market. This is emphasized in recent high-level dialogues.
India's top five IT companies, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL, and Tech Mahindra, have a strong presence in Bulgaria, employing local talent and driving digital innovation. Infosys has launched a new center in Sofia, focused on next-generation digital technologies, with plans to upskill 500 employees over four years. The center supports European and international clients in manufacturing, retail, and financial services.
Bulgaria’s Digital Transformation Agenda
Bulgaria aims to achieve digital transformation from 2024 to 2030 by enhancing digital skills, infrastructure, and governance across sectors like education, healthcare, and public administration. The country prioritizes modern technologies to boost efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainable development while ensuring robust and secure cybersecurity and data management.
Bulgaria's digital progress is largely attributed to its network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), including CYBER4ALL STAR, EDICS, AgroDigiRise, and SynGReDiT. These hubs operate in cybersecurity, construction, agriculture, and green technologies and foster innovation and sustainability through digitalization.
Policy Shifts: Facilitating Trade and Technology Exchange
In September 2024, India eased export regulations for dual-use software and technology. This policy change allows Indian companies to export advanced software and technology under the Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies (SCOMET) framework, benefiting Bulgaria's digital and industrial capabilities.
Green Transition and Sustainable Technologies
India's previous ambassador to Bulgaria, Sanjay Rana, has identified renewable energy, electric vehicles, and sustainable technologies as key sectors for bilateral engagement. Bulgaria's solar and wind energy expertise and India's ambitious renewable energy targets create opportunities for joint projects in clean energy and climate change mitigation.
Academic and Research Partnerships
India-Bulgaria tech relationship is based on academic and research collaboration, involving joint projects in biotechnology, renewable energy, information technology, and AI. The Indian Institute of Hardware Technology (IIHT) has established a center in Plovdiv, promoting digital education and skill development in partnership with Bulgaria's Technology & Innovations Corporation.
Both countries collaborate on biopharmaceutical research, genetic engineering, and generic drug manufacturing to enhance healthcare solutions and increase global access to affordable medicines.
Expanding Business and Investment
Bulgaria offers BPO, manufacturing, food processing, tourism, and education opportunities. Indian companies like Sutherland Global Services and CineGrand are establishing operations in India, and Bulgarian firms like Prime Petroleum and Kintex are investing in India. This highlights the growing economic interdependence driven by digital and technological collaboration.
Looking Ahead: Institutional Support and Future Prospects
The 2025 Bulgarian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation will be a key event for bilateral engagement. It will feature a dedicated business forum to connect companies in digital transformation, high-tech manufacturing, and sustainable development.
Bulgaria and India are forming a strategic partnership to drive innovation, trade, and sustainable growth in Europe and beyond. The partnership will leverage India's IT expertise, Bulgaria's strategic location, skilled workforce, and EU integration, ensuring both countries are well-positioned to lead in the digital age.
Overview of Challenges and Solutions
Diagnosing a problem is the first step to finding solutions. Here, we examine the challenges and solutions.
Challenges
India and Bulgaria face significant challenges in digital transformation due to policy limitations, geopolitical risks, and infrastructural bottlenecks. India faces regulatory changes, complex data localization laws, and overlapping jurisdictions, while Bulgaria faces limited high-speed internet, opaque public procurement, and a digital skills gap. Insufficient funding, administrative processes, and regional infrastructure disparities also hinder progress. Bulgaria lags behind the EU average in digital skills, and modernizes education and workforce upskilling.
Solutions
Bulgaria's "Digital Bulgaria 2025" program modernizes curricula, upskills teachers, and partners with industry to enhance digital competence. India's 2025 budget allocates funds for AI research, digital infrastructure, and skill development, encouraging SMEs to adopt digital tools and invest in digital literacy.
Facts and Figures for Path Forward
Facts and figures are the foundation of economic analysis, revealing trends, challenges, and growth potential. GDP, employment, trade, and investment data help policymakers, businesses, and analysts make informed decisions. Without concrete metrics, economic strategies remain speculative, limiting a nation’s ability to achieve sustainable development and global competitiveness.
- Bulgaria plans to allocate €2.2 billion (2.3% of GDP) toward digital transformation by 2030
- Bulgaria scores 91.9/100 in digitalization of public services for businesses, surpassing the EU average of 85.4
- Only 29.3% of Bulgarian enterprises have adopted advanced digital technologies, ranking last in the EU
India's IT exports reached $194 billion in 2024, with major firms expanding operations in Europe. In 2024, India eased export regulations for dual-use software, benefiting 41 countries, including Bulgaria.
Bulgaria’s solar and wind energy expertise aligns with India’s ambitious renewable energy targets. India's renewable energy capacity reached a record 29.52 GW in FY 2024-25, bringing the total installed capacity to 220.1 GW as of March 2025. Solar energy led the growth, adding 23.83 GW in a single year.
India aims to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030 through government schemes like PM-KUSUM and Green Energy Corridor, investing billions in solar pumps, green hydrogen, and grid upgrades.
India's solar module and PV cell manufacturing capacity nearly doubled in FY 2025, boosting self-reliance and export potential.
Bulgaria’s strategic location within Europe and India’s IT expertise position both nations as leaders in digital transformation.
Joint Project Potential and Investment Figures
India and Bulgaria are proactive in conceiving future projects. Here are some examples.
Growing Bilateral Investment
India-Bulgaria investment is expected to rise by 5-7% annually, with clean energy being a priority sector for collaboration. Indian companies are interested in Bulgaria's solar and wind projects.
Community and Innovation Models
Bulgaria's Gabrovo energy community and India's distributed solar initiatives are models for citizen-driven, decentralized renewable projects, which could be replicated in joint ventures.
Voices of Leadership: Insights from Key Government Officials
Former Bulgarian e-governance minister Bozhidar Bozhanov emphasized leadership, open data, and secure digital infrastructure to promote trust, transparency, and innovation in digital transformation partnerships.
In 2023, Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF stated:
“To build a prosperous future, we need to harness the potential of digital technology. Digital transformation is not just about technology - it’s about people, opportunity, and inclusion.”
Case Study: Infosys Proximity Center Boosts Bulgaria’s Digital Workforce
In 2023, Infosys expanded its European footprint by launching a proximity center in Sofia, Bulgaria, aiming to strengthen regional digital capabilities. The facility plans to hire and upskill 500 local professionals in AI, cloud computing, IoT, and software engineering, leveraging Bulgaria’s advanced infrastructure and tech talent.
Bulgarian Minister of Innovation and Growth, Milena Stoycheva, praised the initiative as a boost to local employment and economic development. This project reflects the growing India-Bulgaria partnership, fostering digital transformation and reinforcing Infosys’s global tech strategy through innovation and workforce empowerment.
Conclusion
As the digital age unfolds with unprecedented speed, the collaboration between India and Bulgaria shines as a compelling testament to the power of partnership in shaping the future. This alliance, rooted in shared aspirations and complementary strengths, is more than a strategic economic venture - it is a vibrant tapestry of innovation, culture, and vision. Together, they craft a new paradigm where technology bridges continents, empowers communities, and drives sustainable progress.
India and Bulgaria are partnering to revolutionize industries and improve living standards through digital transformation. The alliance includes AI, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and smart manufacturing. The goal is to inspire other nations to embrace cooperation in the digital evolution, contributing to a future where technology addresses global development goals.
Policymakers, industry leaders, and students are encouraged to participate in the evolving India-Bulgaria digital partnership. By exploring collaborative opportunities, investing in emerging technologies, and supporting sustainable innovation, stakeholders can help shape a resilient, digitally empowered future. Through shared effort, today’s challenges can become drivers of growth, positioning both nations as key players in global digital progress.
