President Droupadi Murmu has arrived in North Macedonia for the second stop of her three-country diplomatic tour across Europe, following the successful completion of her State Visit to Moldova. She received a warm welcome at Skopje International Airport from North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, marking the beginning of a historic visit for India’s diplomatic outreach.
The visit is particularly significant because it is the first time an Indian President has traveled to North Macedonia. Indian officials described the occasion as an important milestone that reflects the growing strength of bilateral relations and the shared commitment of both countries to expand cooperation in several strategic areas. President Murmu is visiting the country at the invitation of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and will remain there through July 22.
During her stay, President Murmu is expected to hold high-level discussions with President Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. Her schedule also includes meetings with the Speaker of the Assembly, an address to lawmakers, and participation in the India-North Macedonia Business Forum. The two nations are expected to focus on strengthening collaboration in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, information technology, and IT-enabled services while exploring new opportunities for long-term partnerships.
Before arriving in North Macedonia, President Murmu concluded her visit to Moldova, where she met President Maia Sandu in Chisinau for bilateral talks. She also addressed the India-Moldova Business Forum, encouraging stronger trade and investment ties between the two countries. Discussions during the visit emphasized expanding cooperation in technology, agriculture, and access to affordable healthcare solutions.
The final phase of President Murmu’s European tour will take her to Romania from July 23 to July 25. The trip will mark the first visit by an Indian President to Romania in more than 30 years. During her stay, she is scheduled to meet President Nicuşor Dan, interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, parliamentary leaders, and members of the Romania-India Parliamentary Friendship Group. She will also address the India-Romania Business Forum and interact with the Indian community living in Romania.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the three-nation tour highlights New Delhi’s growing engagement with Eastern Europe. The ministry also noted that closer political dialogue, stronger trade and investment ties, and increased people-to-people exchanges are expected to further reinforce India’s partnerships across the region, with Romania continuing to serve as a key partner within the European Union.
