Jaishankar Conveys India's Greetings to Serbia on Statehood Day at Munich Conference
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar extended warm greetings to the government and people of Serbia on the occasion of their Statehood Day, during his participation at the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany on Sunday.
High-Level Meeting on Conference Sidelines
The diplomatic exchange followed a substantive meeting between Jaishankar and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric on the sidelines of the prestigious security conference on Saturday. In a social media post, Jaishankar expressed: "Greetings to FM @markodjuric, the government and people of Serbia on their Statehood Day. Appreciate our long-standing partnership."
The Serbian Foreign Ministry reciprocated with their own message, stating: "Happy #StatehoodDay of #Serbia, #Sretenje! Today, we remember the historic moments that laid the foundations of our modern state and affirmed the ideals of freedom and constitutionalism. Proud of our tradition, we continue to build Serbia's future on the principles of peace, stability, and unity!"
Strengthening Traditional Friendship and Cooperation
According to an official press release from the Serbian Foreign Ministry, the bilateral discussions between the two ministers covered multiple dimensions of the relationship:
- Historical Bonds: Both ministers reaffirmed the traditional friendship between India and Serbia dating back to their shared history as co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement.
- Political Support: Djuric thanked India for its consistent position regarding the non-recognition of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, with Jaishankar receiving a briefing on recent developments in the EU-facilitated dialogue process.
- Future Engagements: The Serbian minister expressed satisfaction about President Aleksandar Vucic's upcoming participation at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and extended a formal invitation for Jaishankar to visit Serbia in the near future.
Expanding Economic and Cultural Collaboration
The ministers identified significant potential to enhance economic cooperation and collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Djuric specifically invited India to participate in Expo 2027, scheduled to be held in Belgrade, expressing hope that India would showcase its cultural heritage and technological innovations at the international exhibition.
Foundation of India-Serbia Relations
The interaction in Munich represents another milestone in the ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Belgrade. According to India's Ministry of External Affairs brief:
- India and Serbia (as part of former Yugoslavia) have maintained deep friendship since co-founding the Non-Aligned Movement.
- The relationship has strengthened over subsequent decades, with 2023 marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
- India has consistently supported Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintaining its position of not recognizing Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence.
- Both countries share converging perspectives on numerous global issues and provide mutual support in international forums.
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Serbian Foreign Ministry and Serbia Post jointly issued a jubilee postal stamp in December 2023 featuring the Victor monument in Belgrade alongside India's Statue of Unity, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two nations.
