President Murmu pays tribute to Goce Delchev in Skopje on North Macedonia visit
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu's wreath-laying at the grave of Goce Delchev — North Macedonia's national hero — was more than ceremonial. Paired with a summit at Villa Vodno and upcoming addresses to the Assembly and a business forum, India is making a deliberate diplomatic push into the Western Balkans, anchored by shared legacies of Mother Teresa and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu laid a wreath at the Grave of Goce Delchev at the Church of Saint Spas, Skopje on 21 July .
She held bilateral talks with North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova at Villa Vodno , covering economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare, and digital transformation.
President Siljanovska-Davkova called the visit 'an important step' in strengthening cooperation, citing shared legacies of Mother Teresa and the Non-Aligned Movement .
North Macedonia is the second leg of President Murmu's three-nation tour , following a visit to Moldova .
Murmu is scheduled to address the North Macedonia Assembly and speak at the India–North Macedonia Business Forum during her visit.
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, 21 July laid a wreath at the Grave of Goce Delchev at the Church of Saint Spas in Skopje, honouring one of North Macedonia's most revered national heroes during her first state visit to the country. The gesture marked a significant diplomatic moment on the second leg of her three-nation tour.
Who Was Goce Delchev
Goce Delchev is widely remembered in North Macedonia as a revolutionary leader, freedom fighter, and national hero. The wreath-laying at his grave — situated within the historic Church of Saint Spas in Skopje — is among the highest marks of respect a visiting dignitary can offer, underscoring the symbolic weight India placed on this bilateral engagement.
Summit at Villa Vodno
Earlier on Tuesday, President Murmu held formal talks with her North Macedonian counterpart, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, at Villa Vodno in Skopje. The discussions spanned the full range of bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare, and digital transformation. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Prior to the summit, President Murmu was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour — standard protocol for a head-of-state visit. According to the President's Secretariat, the two leaders 'reaffirmed deep and friendly bilateral ties, grounded in shared democratic values and mutual respect.'
What North Macedonia's President Said
President Siljanovska-Davkova described the visit as 'an important step towards expanding and strengthening our cooperation with India.' In remarks shared on social media platform X, she noted: 'We discussed Macedonian–Indian relations, with a focus on opportunities for cooperation in the economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare and digital transformation.'
She also invoked a powerful shared legacy: 'Our shared humanitarian legacy of Saint Mother Teresa, together with the experience of the Non-Aligned Movement, provides a strong foundation for a new era in our relations.' The reference to Mother Teresa — born in Skopje — and the Non-Aligned Movement, of which India was a founding pillar, signals the historical depth both sides are drawing upon to frame this diplomatic reset.
Arrival and Upcoming Engagements
President Murmu arrived in North Macedonia on Tuesday, following the successful conclusion of her visit to Moldova — the first leg of her three-nation tour. At Skopje Airport, she was received by North Macedonia's Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Timcho Mucunski.
During the remainder of her visit, President Murmu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, meet the President of the Assembly, address the Assembly, and speak at the India–North Macedonia Business Forum — engagements that signal a push to translate diplomatic warmth into concrete economic and institutional ties.
Point of View
Landlocked Balkan nation — but the diplomatic choreography here is deliberate. Invoking Mother Teresa and the Non-Aligned Movement is a soft-power play that few other nations can replicate in Skopje. The real test of this visit will be whether the Business Forum and Assembly address translate into signed agreements, or whether this remains a goodwill tour without institutional follow-through. India's track record of converting high-level visits into durable economic partnerships with smaller European nations has been uneven.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did President Murmu visit North Macedonia?
President Droupadi Murmu visited North Macedonia as the second leg of her three-nation state tour, arriving on 21 July. The visit aims to strengthen India–North Macedonia bilateral ties across economy, education, culture, tourism, healthcare, and digital transformation.
Who is Goce Delchev and why did President Murmu pay tribute to him?
Goce Delchev is revered as a revolutionary leader, freedom fighter, and national hero of North Macedonia. President Murmu laid a wreath at his grave at the Church of Saint Spas in Skopje as a mark of respect, a gesture that carries significant diplomatic symbolism during a state visit.
What did the two presidents discuss at Villa Vodno?
Presidents Murmu and Siljanovska-Davkova discussed the full range of bilateral cooperation at Villa Vodno in Skopje, focusing on economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare, and digital transformation. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
What is the significance of the Mother Teresa and Non-Aligned Movement references?
North Macedonian President Siljanovska-Davkova cited the shared humanitarian legacy of Saint Mother Teresa — born in Skopje — and the Non-Aligned Movement, of which India was a founding pillar, as a foundation for a new era in bilateral relations. These references highlight historical and ideological common ground between the two nations.
What other engagements are scheduled during President Murmu's North Macedonia visit?
President Murmu is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, meet the President of the Assembly, address the North Macedonia Assembly, and speak at the India–North Macedonia Business Forum during her visit.
