President Murmu holds historic first visit to North Macedonia, eyes new cooperation
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu's arrival in Skopje on 21 July marks the first time an Indian President has ever visited North Macedonia — a milestone that both sides say could unlock new ties in trade, education, healthcare, and digital sectors, with a shared legacy of Saint Mother Teresa and the Non-Aligned Movement cited as the foundation.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu held talks with North Macedonia President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova at Villa Vodno, Skopje on 21 July .
This is the first-ever visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.
Discussions covered economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare, and digital transformation.
President Murmu was received by Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski upon arrival in Skopje.
She is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski , address the Assembly, and speak at the India–North Macedonia Business Forum .
The Skopje leg follows a completed visit to Moldova as part of a three-nation tour .
President Droupadi Murmu and North Macedonia President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova held bilateral talks at Villa Vodno in Skopje on Tuesday, 21 July, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia. The two leaders discussed expanding cooperation across economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare, and digital transformation.
What the Two Leaders Discussed
The summit-level meeting covered the full range of bilateral ties, with both presidents reaffirming their commitment to deepening India–North Macedonia relations. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, grounded in what both sides described as shared democratic values and mutual respect.
Prior to the formal talks, President Murmu was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at Villa Vodno.
What North Macedonia's President Said
'It was a great honour to welcome Droupadi Murmu, first President of the Republic of India, who is paying an official visit to our country. We discussed Macedonian–Indian relations, with a focus on opportunities for cooperation in the economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare and digital transformation,' President Siljanovska-Davkova wrote on X.
She added: 'This visit marks an important step towards expanding and strengthening our cooperation with India. 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.'
Arrival and Protocol
President Murmu arrived in Skopje on the second leg of her three-nation visit, after concluding her engagements in Moldova. At the airport, she was received by North Macedonia's Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Timcho Mucunski, according to the President's Office.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the visit as a milestone, noting it 'will further deepen India–North Macedonia relations and open new avenues for cooperation across diverse sectors.'
Upcoming Engagements
During her stay, 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. These engagements signal an intent to move bilateral ties beyond diplomatic symbolism toward concrete economic and institutional linkages.
This visit is the latest in a series of high-level Indian diplomatic outreaches to Central and Eastern Europe, a region where New Delhi has been steadily expanding its footprint.
Point of View
However, will be whether the Business Forum produces actionable outcomes or remains a photo-op. India's trade relationship with North Macedonia is negligible by any measure, and converting presidential goodwill into investment or institutional frameworks will require sustained follow-through that high-profile visits alone rarely deliver.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of President Murmu's visit to North Macedonia?
It is the first-ever visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia, making it a historic diplomatic milestone. The visit is aimed at deepening bilateral ties across economy, education, healthcare, and digital transformation.
What did the two presidents discuss in Skopje?
President Murmu and President Siljanovska-Davkova discussed the full range of bilateral cooperation, including opportunities in economy, education, science, culture, tourism, healthcare, and digital transformation. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Which countries is President Murmu visiting on her three-nation tour?
President Murmu's three-nation visit includes Moldova and North Macedonia, with the Skopje leg being the second stop after successfully concluding her visit to Moldova. The third destination has not been specified in available reports.
Who received President Murmu in Skopje?
President Murmu was received at the Skopje airport by North Macedonia's Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Timcho Mucunski. She was subsequently accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honour at Villa Vodno by President Siljanovska-Davkova.
What are President Murmu's scheduled engagements in North Macedonia?
Beyond the presidential summit, Murmu is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, address the Assembly, meet the President of the Assembly, and speak at the India–North Macedonia Business Forum.
