FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO NOVI SAD CITY HALL

Тhe Mayor of Novi Sad Žarko Mićin received His Excellency Mr Abhishek Shukla, Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Republic of Serbia, in the Ceremonial Hall of City Hall on his first official visit. The Ambassador took up his post earlier this year. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of the digital economy, education, culture and sustainable tourism, as well as on strengthening links between institutions and business communities, in light of the most recent cooperation protocols signed between Serbia and India.

– This visit is particularly significant as, at the same time, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, is on an official visit to the India, where he is participating in the Artificial Intelligence Summit in New Delhi alongside numerous world leaders, and holding bilateral meetings with India’s highest-ranking officials. This will undoubtedly further strengthen relations between our two countries and cooperation in key technological sectors. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, held in 1961 in Belgrade, the foundations of which were laid by India, Egypt and the former Yugoslavia. It is less widely known that Novi Sad, through the work of Matica srpska and academic research, was one of the centres for the study of Indian philosophy and Vedic thought in this part of Europe. Our city also preserves the memory of the composer Svetolik Pašćan-Kojanov, a native of Novi Sad who was among the first to musically unite Balkan tradition and Indian ragas. Today, we continue this connection through numerous festivals and events that bring cultures and peoples together. I am confident that our cooperation will continue to develop in the fields of innovation, the IT sector and the creative industries. We are grateful to India for its principled support of Serbia at the international level and believe that our friendship will continue to deepen – said Mayor Mićin.

Ambassador Shukla expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasised that India recognises Novi Sad as an important cultural and educational centre.

– The historical ties between our countries provide a strong foundation for future cooperation. We are encouraged by initiatives that connect our institutions, artists and business communities, and I am confident that in the coming period we will further develop joint projects to our mutual benefit – the Ambassador stated.

The interlocutors agreed that the traditional friendship between Serbia and India represents a solid basis for further deepening cooperation, and that through the joint engagement of institutions, businesses and cultural actors they will contribute to the development of concrete initiatives benefiting the citizens of Novi Sad and India.

Novi Sad, 18 February 2026