India and Serbia Conduct 9th Round of Foreign Office Consultations in Belgrade
On Wednesday, India and Serbia convened the 9th Round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Belgrade, Serbia. This high-level diplomatic engagement was co-chaired by Ambassador Sibi George, serving as Secretary (West) in India's Ministry of External Affairs, and Damjan Jovic, the State Secretary in Serbia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting underscored the ongoing commitment of both nations to deepen their strategic partnership through regular dialogue and collaboration.
High-Level Meetings and Discussions on Bilateral Cooperation
During the consultations, Ambassador Sibi George held a significant meeting with Marko Djuric, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia. According to a release from India's Ministry of External Affairs, their discussions focused on intensifying the existing cooperation between India and Serbia and exploring avenues to expand the scope of bilateral collaboration. This interaction highlighted the mutual desire to build upon the strong foundation of their relationship.
The FOC provided a comprehensive review of the current bilateral ties, covering a wide array of areas of mutual interest. Key sectors discussed included trade and economic relations, defense, science and technology, Fintech, agriculture, culture, and people-to-people connections. Both sides expressed satisfaction with their robust cooperation in multilateral forums, emphasizing their aligned positions on global issues.
Strengthening Longstanding Friendship and Addressing Global Concerns
India and Serbia share close and friendly relations, rooted in longstanding bonds of friendship between their peoples. The consultations reaffirmed this historical connection while paving the way for future collaboration. In addition to bilateral matters, the two sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, demonstrating their commitment to addressing shared challenges on the international stage.
As part of his visit, Ambassador Sibi George also engaged with members of the Indian diaspora in Serbia. This interaction aimed to strengthen community ties and foster greater cultural exchange, further enhancing the people-to-people links that form a cornerstone of the India-Serbia relationship.
The successful conclusion of the 9th FOC marks a positive step forward in the diplomatic relations between India and Serbia, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation across multiple domains in the coming years.
