SKOPJE — India announced it will double the number of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training slots available to North Macedonia, including courses in artificial intelligence, as the two countries moved to deepen bilateral ties during President Droupadi Murmu's state visit to the Balkan nation.
The announcement came after talks on Tuesday between Murmu and North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, marking the first-ever state visit by an Indian president to North Macedonia since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues, according to statements released by the Indian President's Office and India's Press Information Bureau.
Murmu said India and North Macedonia had reaffirmed their "deep and friendly ties" based on shared democratic values and mutual respect. She announced that the expanded ITEC programme would include artificial intelligence training as part of India's capacity-building assistance for North Macedonia.
The two sides also agreed to promote greater trade and investment and work toward doubling bilateral trade. Discussions covered cooperation in information technology, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, biotechnology, tourism, hospitality and filmmaking, with leaders highlighting the India-North Macedonia Business Forum as a platform to strengthen commercial engagement.
In healthcare, the countries agreed to renew a bilateral memorandum of understanding and expand cooperation, particularly in promoting traditional systems of medicine, according to the official statements.
Murmu also welcomed North Macedonia's intention to join India-backed international initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance, saying participation would provide access to technical expertise and global best practices in renewable energy and disaster resilience.
During the visit, the two presidents jointly unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the Museum of Skopje, which Murmu described as a symbol of the shared values linking the two countries. She also paid tribute to Macedonian revolutionary Goce Delčev by laying a wreath at his memorial in the capital.
Murmu's visit to North Macedonia forms the second leg of her three-country tour of Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania. Indian officials have described the trip as part of New Delhi's efforts to strengthen political and economic engagement with countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Murmu was scheduled to continue her visit with further official engagements before departing for Romania.
