India-North Macedonia Expand Cooperation in Trade, Technology and Tourism

Key Facts

• President Droupadi Murmu visited North Macedonia from 21-22 July 2026.
• India and North Macedonia established diplomatic relations in 1995; this was the first bilateral visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.
• Bilateral trade was approximately USD 133 million in 2025, with plans to double this amount.
• Cooperation covers trade, technology, tourism, talent development, and healthcare.
• Identified sectors include IT, IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence, digital technology, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, biotechnology, tourism, hospitality, and filmmaking.
• India committed to doubling training slots for North Macedonia under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, including courses on artificial intelligence.
• The healthcare cooperation Memorandum of Understanding was renewed for five more years, including collaboration on traditional systems of medicine.
• Discussions included enhancing direct connectivity to support trade and tourism.
• India leads or co-leads international platforms such as the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Global Biofuels Alliance.
• An India-North Macedonia Business Forum was held during the visit to foster economic engagement between businesses from both countries.

Background & Context

India and North Macedonia established diplomatic relations in 1995. Over thirty years later, the two countries are strengthening bilateral relations through expanded cooperation beyond diplomatic engagements. President Droupadi Murmu's visit marked the first-ever bilateral visit to North Macedonia by an Indian President, underscoring enhanced political and diplomatic commitment.

While bilateral trade remains modest in volume, both countries aim for significant growth, targeting a doubling of trade figures from the 2025 baseline. The focus sectors, including information technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, align with contemporary global economic and technological trends.

India's Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme serves as a capacity-building and training platform for partner countries; its expansion to include AI courses for North Macedonian professionals underscores efforts to build technological talent. Healthcare cooperation and the renewal of the MoU, including traditional medicine collaboration, reflect ongoing bilateral soft-power and health sector partnerships.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This bilateral engagement highlights India's growing diplomatic and economic outreach in Eastern Europe, a region less frequently covered in mainstream international relations studies. Key factual details such as the historic nature of the 2026 visit, the trade figure of approximately USD 133 million in 2025 with plans to double it, and the sectors prioritized in cooperation serve as important points for current affairs and international relations examination questions.

The emphasis on India's technical diplomacy through the ITEC programme, leadership roles in international coalitions like the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and partnership expansion in healthcare provide valuable case studies on India's foreign policy and multilateral engagement strategies.

Points to Remember

• Visit dates: 21-22 July 2026
• President of India during visit: Droupadi Murmu
• India-North Macedonia diplomatic relations established in 1995
• Bilateral trade in 2025: approximately USD 133 million
• Goal: double bilateral trade volume
• Key cooperation sectors: IT, IT-enabled services, artificial intelligence, digital technology, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, biotechnology, tourism, hospitality, filmmaking
• Doubling of ITEC training slots for North Macedonia including AI courses
• Renewal of healthcare cooperation MoU for 5 years including traditional medicine collaboration
• Discussions held to enhance direct connectivity to boost trade and tourism
• India leads/initiates several international platforms including the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and Global Biofuels Alliance
• India-North Macedonia Business Forum conducted to enhance business ties