President Droupadi Murmu's Visit to North Macedonia
President Droupadi Murmu is on a two-day state visit to North Macedonia, part of her three-nation European tour aimed at enhancing ties. This marks the first visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.
Objectives and Meetings
- Engagement in bilateral talks with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.
- Meetings with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Speaker of the Assembly Afrim Gashi.
- Address to the North Macedonian Parliament.
- Participation in the India-North Macedonia Business Forum.
Economic and Cultural Focus
The visit emphasizes deepening economic ties, especially in the sectors of:
- Agriculture
- Pharmaceuticals
- Science and Technology
- Information Technology and IT-enabled Services
Historical and Cultural Connection
President Murmu will visit the Memorial of Mother Teresa, highlighting the historical link:
- Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, North Macedonia in 1910 and lived there until 1928.
- The museum, built in 2009, is located where she was baptized.
- Mother Teresa was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1980.
Geopolitical Context
North Macedonia is strategically located, sharing borders with Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Serbia, covering an area of 25,713 square kilometers. The Indian community here is small, primarily involved in IT, academia, and multinational companies.
Continuing the Tour in Romania
In the last phase of her tour, President Murmu will visit Romania, marking the first visit by an Indian President to Romania in over 30 years. The overarching aim of the visit to these nations is to strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on trade, technology, and tourism (3Ts), emphasizing India's commitment to the Eastern European region.
