Murmu urges building bridges, not walls, in North Macedonia address

President Droupadi Murmu told North Macedonia's Assembly that a divided world must build bridges, not walls. Her first visit by an Indian head of state also pushed for deeper democratic, cultural and economic ties.Image used for representational purposes onlyPresident Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said India’s ancient philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" calls for "building bridges, not walls" at a time when the world is divided by conflict and economic differences. She made the remarks while addressing the Assembly of North Macedonia during her two-day visit to the country, the first by an Indian head of state.Murmu also underlined the democratic values shared by India and North Macedonia, and called for stronger political, cultural and economic engagement between the two countries. She said India sees North Macedonia as an important partner in a stable, multipolar and prosperous global future.In her address, Murmu said no country can prosper in isolation. "India’s ancient civilisational philosophy is rooted in the ancient dictum - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the world is one family. When the global landscape is fractured by conflict and economic division, this philosophy calls for building bridges, not walls," she said.She said democracy was more than a system of governance for the two countries. "As I look across this Chamber today, I am reminded that a nation’s true pulse beats within its Parliament. Democracy is not merely a system of governance; it is a shared article of faith that unites India and North Macedonia," the President said. She added that the parliaments of both countries were the guardians of people’s freedoms, the architects of their laws, and the mirrors of national conscience. Murmu said India’s Parliament reflects the aspirations of more than 1.4 billion citizens and gives democratic voice to a nation of extraordinary diversity. "Guided by our Constitution, Parliament embodies the principle that India’s diversity is not an obstacle to democracy, but one of its greatest strengths," she said. She described India’s democratic experience as remarkable not only for its constitutional foundations but also for its scale, noting that with an electorate of around one billion citizens, India’s general elections are the largest democratic exercise in human history. "The successful conduct of elections across such vast geographic, linguistic and cultural diversity stands as a testament to the resilience of India’s democratic institutions and the trust that our people place in the electoral process," Murmu said.On bilateral ties, Murmu said India regards North Macedonia not as a distant country but as "an important pillar in the architecture of a stable, multipolar, and prosperous global future". She said the relationship between the two sides was set in motion more than two millennia ago, when expeditions of warriors and traders from the region opened corridors for trade, philosophy and art that connected early civilisations. She added that North Macedonia’s rich traditions resonated with India’s pluralistic ethos. "Whether through the universal language of Yoga, a shared love of cinema, or academic exchanges, our people recognise each other as keepers of ancient, living cultures," she said. Murmu said exchanges between lawmakers of the two countries could build institutional trust that lasts beyond political cycles. "Let our young legislators travel between New Delhi and Skopje. Let them meet and share best practices in parliamentary practices and public policy formulation," she said. Referring to the women members present in the chamber, she also spoke about the growing role of women in India’s public life, especially in the Panchayati Raj system, where one-third of seats are reserved for women. "As a result, millions of women have become active participants in public life. We have also recently enacted a historic law that will ensure one-third reservation for women in the lower house of parliament and in the State Legislative Assemblies, reaffirming our commitment to more representative and inclusive democratic institutions," she said.The President also said the geopolitical and economic centres of gravity were shifting. "In this new era, India views Southeast Europe not as a region on the margins but as a dynamic theatre of growth and innovation. North Macedonia sits at the crossroads of this transformation. Your nation is a vital gateway connecting the Mediterranean with Central Europe, and East with West. We are committed to scaling up our engagement bilaterally and across the wider region, including through emerging trade and investment opportunities," she said. Murmu’s visit to North Macedonia began on Tuesday after the end of her visit to Moldova, the first ever by an Indian President.Closing her address, Murmu called for a long-term approach to the relationship. "Let us look beyond the horizon of the immediate future. Let us transform our historical and cultural ties into tangible economic milestones. Together, as two democratic nations anchored in history and driven by a vision for tomorrow, let us chart a course that brings peace and prosperity to our peoples," she said. Her address brought together her message on democracy, deeper parliamentary engagement and stronger India-North Macedonia ties.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Jul 21, 2026 20:30 IST