MoS Meenakshi Lekhi leaves on official visit to Croatia and North Macedonia

Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi has left on an official visit to Croatia and North Macedonia from July 8-11 in order to deepen bilateral ties with the two states.

"Embarking tonight on an official visit to Croatia and North-Macedonia. Will be glad to share India's viewpoint in the 2023 edition of the prestigious Dubrovnik Forum. In North-Macedonia, look forward to wide ranging discussions on bilateral ties, and interaction with the Indian Diaspora," MoS Lekhi tweeted.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), MoS Lekhi will be attending the Dubrovnik Forum organized by the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs on July 8, which will focus on the changing dynamics of global geopolitics and geoeconomics today.

The theme for this year's Dubrovnik Forum is 'Navigating the Global Shuffle'; the event is being held in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict which continues into the second year.

On July 10-11, she will be in North Macedonia, wherein she will conduct discussions on bilateral relations with her counterparts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. She will also interact with the Indian diaspora present in Skopje. Furthermore, MoS Lekhi will be making a trip to the Memorial House of Mother Teresa.

"India has friendly relations with the two countries. India held the Voice of Global South Summit in 2023, wherein North Macedonia was present. This visit by the Minister of State will deepen these relations," the MEA said.

This will be MoS Lekhi's second visit to Croatia this year. In April, she visited the central European nation and held discussions with the State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. She also interacted with members of the Indian community and met with faculty members at the University of Zagreb, which has exchange programs with several Indian universities.

Diplomatic relations between India and Croatia were established in 1992. Over the years, India and Croatia have signed several agreements on economic cooperation, trade, and investments. Indian companies have invested in Croatia in areas such as pharmaceuticals, IT, and hospitality.