Centuries-old civilisational links strengthen connections between two countries: President Murmu to Assembly of North Macedonia

President Droupadi Murmu's historic state visit to North Macedonia in May 2024 marks a watershed moment in India's diplomatic engagement with the Balkan region. As the first Indian President to visit this Southeast European nation, her address to the Assembly of North Macedonia in Skopje symbolizes India's expanding strategic footprint beyond its traditional spheres of influence. The visit must be understood against the backdrop of India's "Act East" and "Extended Neighborhood" policies, which have progressively broadened New Delhi's diplomatic horizons to include Central Asia, the Caucasus, and now the Balkans. The civilisational links referenced by President Murmu are rooted in ancient history. Historical evidence suggests cultural and trade exchanges between the Indian subcontinent and the Balkan region date back to antiquity, facilitated by the Silk Road networks that connected India with the Mediterranean world. The spread of Buddhism, philosophical ideas, and artistic motifs along these routes created subtle but enduring connections. In the modern era, both nations share experiences of colonial subjugation and post-independence nation-building - India gaining independence in 1947 and North Macedonia (formerly part of Yugoslavia) achieving sovereignty in 1991 after the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Key stakeholders in this diplomatic milestone include President Murmu as the constitutional head of state under Article 52 of the Indian Constitution, who exercises executive power under Article 53. Her visit operates within the framework of Article 253, which empowers Parliament to make laws for implementing international treaties and agreements. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, orchestrates such high-level engagements as part of India's "Neighbourhood First" and "Extended Neighbourhood" diplomacy. On the North Macedonian side, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski represent a nation strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe, aspiring for EU and NATO integration. The significance for India is multidimensional. Economically, bilateral trade remains modest (approximately $30-40 million annually), but the visit opens avenues for cooperation in pharmaceuticals, IT, automotive components, and agricultural products. India's pharmaceutical exports could find a gateway to European markets through North Macedonia's developing regulatory framework. Politically, the visit strengthens India's voice in the Balkans - a region of geostrategic importance due to its proximity to the Black Sea, Mediterranean, and Central European corridors. As a non-permanent UN Security Council member (2021-22) and aspirant for permanent membership, India benefits from broadening its coalition of supportive nations. North Macedonia's support for India's candidature in multilateral forums, including UNSC reforms, adds diplomatic weight. Constitutionally, the President's role in foreign affairs derives from Article 53(1) (executive power vested in President) read with Article 74 (aid and advice of Council of Ministers). The visit exemplifies "presidential diplomacy" - a soft power tool complementing prime ministerial visits. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), ratified by India, provides the legal framework for such state visits. Furthermore, India's commitment to "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (world as one family) and multipolar world order aligns with North Macedonia's aspirations for regional stability. Broader themes emerge: India's evolving great power diplomacy, the role of civilisational narratives in contemporary foreign policy, and the strategic importance of small states in great power competition. The Balkans, historically a theater of great power rivalry (Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, and now EU/NATO vs. Russia), presents both opportunities and complexities for Indian diplomacy. Future implications include potential high-level reciprocal visits, institutional mechanisms like Joint Commission Meetings (JCMs), and cooperation in digital public infrastructure (India's UPI, Aadhaar models), renewable energy (International Solar Alliance), and cultural exchanges. As India assumes a larger global role, such engagements with "middle powers" and "small states" will define its diplomatic architecture in a multipolar world.