President Murmu visited Suriname and Serbia from June 4 to 9. This was her maiden visit to Suriname, at the invitation of Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and also her first state visit since assuming office in July 2022. Murmu also received an invitation from Serbian President A
Apart from underlining the large potential for trade and investment, India and Serbia agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
Murmu said, "India and Serbia have had close and friendly relations since the days of the Non-Aligned Movement. It is now time to build on this, and strengthen our trade and economic partnership."
President Droupadi Murmu, who is in Serbia on the last leg of her two-nation visit, was warmly welcomed by Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic in a ceremony at the Presidential Palace on Thursday.
Addressing the Indian diaspora at the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on Wednesday, Droupadi Murmu said that she has been told Indian movies have been popular in Serbia.
President Murmu's visit to Serbia comes at a time when tensions have been rising in the past week in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008.
President Draupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that a mini India resides in Suriname and highlighted the significant contributions made by Indians in various aspects of Suriname's development, including the economy, society, and culture.
"I am greatly honoured to receive Suriname's highest distinction, the grand ribbon in the honorary order of the Yellow Star," President Murmu said in her acceptance speech on being conferred Suriname's Highest Civilian honour.