PRESIDENT OF INDIA IN NORTH MACEDONIA; HOLDS BILATERAL MEETING WITH PRESIDENT OF NORTH MACEDONIA AND LEADS DELEGATION-LEVEL TALKS

ECONOMIC COOPERATION IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PILLAR OF INDIA-NORTH MACEDONIA BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu reached Skopje, North Macedonia yesterday evening (July 20, 2026), on the second leg of her State Visits to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania. This is the first visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.

On her arrival at the Skopje International Airport, she was warmly received by Mr. Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade, North Macedonia.

On this State visit, the President is accompanied by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, and Members of Parliament Dr. Dinesh Sharma and Shri Vijay Baghel.

Today (July 21, 2026), the President commenced her engagements with the visit to Villa Vodno, the official residence and office of the President of North Macedonia. She was warmly received by H.E. Dr. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of the Republic of North Macedonia. She was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour. During one-to-one meeting and delegation-level talks, the two leaders discussed full range of bilateral cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. They reaffirmed deep and friendly bilateral ties, grounded in shared democratic values and mutual respect.

The President said that economic cooperation is an extremely important pillar of the India-North Macedonia bilateral relationship. She emphasized cooperation in key sectors, including IT/ITES, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and bio-tech, tourism, hospitality, and film-making.

The President said that cultural and people-to-people ties have always been among the strongest pillars of the bilateral relationship. She highlighted that collaboration in the field of creative industry is an important aspect of cultural exchanges.

The President said that India seeks to foster international cooperation through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Global Biofuels Alliance. She welcomed North Macedonia's intent to join these initiatives and said that participation in these international initiatives would enable North Macedonia to draw on global best practices and technical expertise to promote renewable energy and disaster resilience.

The President announced India's decision to double the number of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training slots for North Macedonia, including courses in Artificial Intelligence. Both leaders agreed that this visit will further consolidate the multifaceted partnership between India and North Macedonia and take it to new heights in the years ahead.