Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (right) talks to his Indian counterpart Draupadi Murmu (left) during their meeting at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade on June 8, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)
BELGRADE – Serbia and India will expand their cooperation in sectors of defense, pharmaceutical industries, information and communication technologies, the presidents of the two countries, Aleksandar Vucic and Droupadi Murmu, said after their meeting in Belgrade on Thursday.
For Murmu, the meeting marks her first visit to Europe since her election as the president of India last July. Vucic, on the other hand, first visited India in 2017, which he said had paved the way for an ever-expanding bilateral partnership, according to a press release issued by the office of the Serb president.
During her three-day visit, Murmu attended the India-Serbia business forum in Belgrade, which brought over 150 companies from the two countries
"We have firmly decided to develop bilateral relations, to promote contacts between our peoples and to strengthen cooperation in the United Nations," Murmu was quoted as saying in the press release.
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Vucic announced the establishment of joint bodies that would help enhance bilateral cooperation.
He also said the two sides would work together in the coming days on the "simplification of their (bilateral) visa regime" to facilitate the exchange of tourists and business people. Launching direct flights between New Delhi and Belgrade is also on the cards, the press release said.
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Murmu also had a meeting here with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. During her three-day visit, which started on Wednesday, she attended the India-Serbia business forum in Belgrade, which brought over 150 companies from the two countries.