India-North Macedonia Relations

For two thousand years the traffic between India and Macedon ran one way, with Alexander’s army marching east. In July 2026 an Indian President travelled the other way. This page tells the story of that visit and the ties behind it.

Think of four questions as you read. Why did an Indian President come to Skopje? Is FYROM a different country? What did the visit produce? And what was the human side of the visit?

1Why did an Indian President come to Skopje?

For over two thousand years the link between India and Macedon ran one way. Alexander’s army marched east. In July 2026 an Indian President finally travelled the other way.

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Skopje on 20–21 July 2026. It was the first visit by any Indian head of state to North Macedonia. (Source: Edinburg Post)

Skopje was the second stop of her State Visit. It followed Moldova and was followed by Romania.

She held talks with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova at Villa Vodno on 21 July. They agreed to double bilateral trade. (Source: DD India)

• Visit: 20–22 July 2026, Skopje.
• First by an Indian head of state.
• Second leg: after Moldova, before Romania.
• Host: Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

2Is FYROM a different country?

No. FYROM stands for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It is the old name of North Macedonia.

India was one of 40 co-sponsors of the 1993 UN General Assembly resolution that admitted the country to the UN under that name. (Source: Embassy of India, Sofia)

India and the country established diplomatic relations on 9 February 1995. North Macedonia has had an Embassy in New Delhi since 2008. It also keeps Honorary Consuls in Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

The name changed in 2019 after a settlement with Greece. A 1993 fact and a present-day fact describe the same state.

• UN admission: 1993, India a co-sponsor.
• Diplomatic relations: 9 February 1995.
• Embassy in Delhi: 2008.
• FYROM = North Macedonia.

3What did the visit produce?

India announced it would double ITEC training slots for North Macedonia. They include new courses in Artificial Intelligence. ITEC means Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation. (Source: DD India)

Trade is climbing already. It rose from USD 37.12 million in 2019-20 to about USD 133 million in 2025. The two sides now aim to double it.

The priority sectors named were IT, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, bio-tech, tourism, hospitality and filmmaking.

Murmu also invited North Macedonia to join three Indian-led initiatives. They are the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

• ITEC slots: to be doubled.
• Trade: USD 37.12 m (2019-20) to USD 133 m (2025).
• Invited to join ISA, CDRI, GBA.

4What was the human side of the visit?

On 21 July Murmu addressed the Assembly of North Macedonia. She said the relationship “was set in motion more than two millennia ago.” She meant Alexander’s time. (Source: Manorama Yearbook)

She also spoke of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the idea that the world is one family, and called for deeper parliamentary diplomacy.

On 22 July the two Presidents unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of the City of Skopje.

Murmu also visited the Mother Teresa Memorial. Mother Teresa was born in Skopje in 1910 and lived there until 1928. (Source: Social News XYZ)

• Assembly address: 21 July 2026.
• Gandhi bust: Museum of the City of Skopje, 22 July.
• Mother Teresa: born in Skopje, 1910.

5What are the exam traps?

• Diplomatic relations: 9 February 1995.
• UN admission as FYROM: 1993.
• Skopje was the second leg, after Moldova.
• Trade: USD 133 million, 2025.
• Gandhi bust: Museum of the City of Skopje.