This article covers the political relationship between India and Serbia: its roots in the Non-Aligned Movement, India's position on Serbia's territorial integrity, the visits exchanged by presidents, ministers and parliamentarians, and the Foreign Office Consultations. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of June 2026.

Foundations of the relationship

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, India and former Yugoslavia traditionally enjoyed deep friendship as co-founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, and the brief says this bond continued in later decades in close and friendly ties between India and Serbia. In 2023, the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The brief states that India gives principled support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and has not recognised the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) by Kosovo. It adds that the two countries share converging views on many global issues and support each other in international fora.

State Visit of President Droupadi Murmu, June 2023

President of India Mrs. Droupadi Murmu paid a State Visit to Serbia from 07-09 June 2023 at the invitation of President Aleksandar Vučić. The brief records that it was her first visit to Europe and the first-ever visit by a Head of State of either country. She was accompanied by Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State for Rural Development, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, MP Mrs. Rama Devi and an official delegation.

After the Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Serbia Palace on 8 June 2023, she led delegation-level talks and addressed a joint business event. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Vladimir Orlić, called on her, and she laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Hero on Mount Avala.

Prime Minister Ms. Ana Brnabić hosted a luncheon in the President's honour, at which trade, economy, tourism and culture were discussed.

Recent high-level contacts

  • February 2026: President Aleksandar Vucic visited India for the AI Summit and met the President and the Prime Minister in Delhi.
  • February 2026: Foreign Minister Marko Djuric met External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference.
  • January 2024: Dr. S. Jaishankar met Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Ivica Dacic in Kampala, on the sidelines of the NAM summit.
  • 17 November 2023: President Vucic took part, in virtual format, in the Concluding Leaders' session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier visits from India

Mrs. Meenakashi Lekhi, MOS for External Affairs, visited Serbia on 11-12 October 2021 as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister at the high-level meeting marking the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade. She called on the President and the Prime Minister, met the Ministers of Defence, Trade and Culture, and held detailed discussions with the Serbian Foreign Minister.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Serbia on 7-9 November 2019. He met the Serbian President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Defence Minister and the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The Serbian Foreign Minister extended an invitation to the External Affairs Minister to visit Serbia, and a full-page interview with him was published in the Serbian daily Politika.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha led a parliamentary delegation to the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Belgrade on 12-18 October 2019 and met the Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly and the Prime Minister of Serbia.

The Vice President of India paid an official visit to Serbia from 14-16 September 2018, which the brief describes as a first in three decades. He met President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Ms. Maja Gojkovic, Speaker of the National Assembly, and addressed a special session of the National Assembly. Both sides expressed commitment to further build on long-standing friendly ties.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, MOS (PMO), visited Serbia from 12-16 October 2016 and met PM Aleksandar Vucic, Speaker Maja Gojkovic, First DPM & FM Ivica Dacic, DPM and Minister of Trade, Tourism & Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic, and Minister of Agriculture & Environmental Protection Branislav Nedimovic.

Visits from Serbia

President Aleksandar Vucic, as the then Prime Minister, visited India from 9-12 January 2017 to attend a summit in Gujarat, and held delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister. First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic visited India in May 2018 at EAM's invitation, held talks on topics of mutual interest and called on the Vice President. Foreign Minister Mr. Nikola Selakovic visited India in September 2021.

The agreements signed during several of these visits are covered, by subject, in the trade, cooperation, culture and practical articles of this guide.

Foreign Office Consultations

A Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Yugoslavia was signed in June 1995. The 9th Foreign Office Consultations between India and Serbia were held on 25 March 2026 in Belgrade. They reviewed economic relations, defence, science and technology, research and development, and culture.