Executive Summary
On July 21, 2026, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, addressed the Assembly of North Macedonia in Skopje to strengthen bilateral relations and promote parliamentary diplomacy. The address highlighted North Macedonia's strategic role as a gateway for trade and innovation and emphasized India's commitment to scaling up engagement across Southeast Europe. Key themes included the shared democratic values of both nations and the pursuit of global prosperity through the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
Key Points / Main Content
Diplomatic and Historical Ties
India views North Macedonia as a critical pillar in a stable, multipolar global future, with relations dating back over two millennia.
Historic corridors established by ancient traders and warriors continue to connect the two civilizations through trade, philosophy, and art.
Parliamentary Diplomacy
Democracy is identified as a shared "article of faith" that unites both nations, with parliaments serving as guardians of public freedom.
Interactions between Members of Parliament are deemed essential for building institutional trust that lasts beyond shifting political cycles.
There is a specific call for young legislators to travel between New Delhi and Skopje to exchange best practices in public policy and parliamentary procedures.
Geopolitical and Economic Strategy
India recognizes a shift in global economic gravity and views Southeast Europe as a dynamic center for growth and innovation.
North Macedonia is positioned as a vital gateway connecting the Mediterranean, Central Europe, the East, and the West.
India is committed to expanding its bilateral and regional presence through emerging trade and investment opportunities.
Global Philosophy
India’s foreign policy is guided by the dictum "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family), advocating for international cooperation over isolation.
As democratic nations, India and North Macedonia aim to "build bridges, not walls" to address global conflicts and economic divisions.
Impact Analysis
Members of Parliament and LegislatorsImpact
Legislators are recognized as the primary architects of laws and institutional trust between the two nations.
Action Required
Young legislators should initiate exchange visits between New Delhi and Skopje to share expertise in public policy formulation and parliamentary practices.
Government and Trade AuthoritiesImpact
The shift in geopolitical focus toward Southeast Europe creates a mandate for deeper regional integration.
Action Required
Authorities must work to scale up bilateral engagement and identify specific trade and investment opportunities within the emerging Mediterranean and Central European corridors.
Global Diplomatic CommunityImpact
The document signals India's intent to engage in a multipolar global architecture based on democratic values.
Action Required
Diplomatic stakeholders should align with the vision of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" to foster peace and prosperity in a fractured global landscape.
Key Entities Referenced
Droupadi Murmu: The President of India who delivered the keynote address to the Assembly of North Macedonia to strengthen bilateral and parliamentary ties.
Assembly of North Macedonia: The national legislative body in Skopje addressed by the President of India to promote institutional trust and parliamentary diplomacy.
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova: The President of North Macedonia who hosted the Indian President during the high-level bilateral engagement.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: India's ancient civilisational philosophy meaning 'the world is one family,' cited as the guiding principle for international cooperation.
Skopje, North Macedonia: The central location and capital city where the diplomatic visit and the address to the legislative assembly occurred.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA ADDRESSES THE
ASSEMBLY OF NORTH MACEDONIA
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN OUR MEMBERS OF
PARLIAMENT BUILD INSTITUTIONAL TRUST THAT
ENDURES BEYOND POLITICAL CYCLES: PRESIDENT
DROUPADI MURMU
INDIA IS COMMITTED TO SCALING UP ITS ENGAGEMENT
BILATERALLY AND ACROSS THE WIDER REGION:
PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
प्रव तथ: 21 JUL 2026 8:53PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu addressed the members of the Assembly of North
Macedonia at Skopje today (July 21, 2026) in the presence of the President of North Macedonia, H.E. Dr.
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that we in India regard the Republic of North Macedonia not
as a distant country but as an important pillar in the architecture of a stable, multipolar, and prosperous
global future. Our relationship was set in motion more than two millennia ago. The historic expeditions ofwarriors and traders from this region opened vital corridors for trade, philosophy, and art, connecting our
early civilisations.
The President said that democracy is not merely a system of governance; it is a shared article of faith that
unites India and North Macedonia. Our parliaments are the guardians of our peoples' freedoms, the
architects of our laws, and the mirrors of our national conscience. This is why parliamentary diplomacy is
important. She stated that interactions between our Members of Parliament build institutional trust that
endures beyond political cycles. She urged young legislators to travel between New Delhi and Skopje and
share best practices in parliamentary practices and public policy formulation.
The President underlined that the geopolitical and economic centres of gravity are shifting. In this new
era, India views Southeast Europe not as a region on the margins but as a dynamic theatre of growth and
innovation. She said that North Macedonia sits at the crossroads of this transformation. It is a vital
gateway connecting the Mediterranean with Central Europe, and East with West. She stated that India is
committed to scaling up its engagement bilaterally and across the wider region, including through
emerging trade and investment opportunities.
The President underlined that no nation can prosper in isolation. She highlighted that India’s ancient
civilisational philosophy is rooted in the ancient dictum -Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the world is one
family. When the global landscape is fractured by conflict and economic division, this philosophy calls for
building bridges, not walls. She stated that together, as two democratic nations anchored in history and
driven by a vision for tomorrow, we should chart a course that brings peace and prosperity to our peoples.
The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai
Bambhaniya, and Members of Parliament Dr. Dinesh Sharma and Shri Vijay Baghel were also present on
the occasion.
Please click here to see the President's Speech
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