Information about both countries

Brief Overview of Serbia

Location & Geography

• Position: Serbia is a landlocked nation situated in the central Balkans, Southeast Europe. It shares borders with Hungary (north), Romania and Bulgaria (east), North Macedonia and Kosovo (south), and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia (west).
• Terrain: The northern region boasts fertile Pannonian plains, while central and southern areas feature mountainous terrain shaped by the Dinaric Alps and Balkan ranges.

Historical Development

• Early Roots: Serbs settled in the 6th–7th centuries; by the 9th century, they had adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity under Byzantine influence.
• Ottoman Era: The Ottoman conquest followed the pivotal Battle of Kosovo in 1389, culminating in full imperial rule by 1459.
• Modern Statehood: Serbia regained autonomy in the 19th century, later becoming part of Yugoslavia after WWI. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia re-established itself as an independent republic in 2006.

Population & Demographics

• Population: Around 6.6 million as of 2024.
• Demographic Trends: Serbia faces population decline (~−0.6% annually), low fertility (~1.5–1.61 births per woman), and a median age in the low 40s. Urbanization is moderate, around 57%–62%.
• Ethnic Composition: Serbs form ~80–83%, with Hungarians (~3%), Bosniaks (~2.3%), Romani (~2%) and other minorities.
• Religion & Language: Orthodox Christianity is predominant, with minority communities of Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, and others. Serbian is the official and widely spoken language.

Economy & Development

• Size & Growth: GDP stands at ~US$75–89 billion (2023–2024), with a per capita income of around US$13,500 (nominal) or ~US$24,500 (PPP).
• Growth Trends: Roughly 3–4% GDP growth in 2024, propelled by construction, services, and improving consumption, though agriculture suffered from drought.
• Key Sectors:
  • Agriculture: Fertile areas like Vojvodina produce crops and fruits; Serbia is a global leader in plum and raspberry production. In 2024, agricultural exports reached around US$5.3 billion.
  • Industry & IT: Manufacturing (including machinery, food processing, automotive, chemicals) forms about 24% of GDP. IT and services (52–57% of GDP) are growing fast, with major players like Microsoft and Intel operating in Belgrade.
  • Investment: Serbia has attracted over €5.2 billion in FDI in 2024 alone, with total inbound investment since 2007 exceeding €52 billion. It holds record rankings for job creation per capita.
  • Challenges: Inflation reached 12% in 2023 (later easing), and the economy remains import-dependent.
• Social Indicators: Poverty is declining (~7.7% in 2024), unemployment improving (~7–9%), while public debt is manageable (~54% of GDP).

Serbia is a country with deep historical roots, navigating post-socialist transformation while balancing economic modernization, demographic challenges, and aspirations for EU integration. Its agricultural productivity, growing tech sector, and openness to foreign investment hint at a resilient and evolving future.

---

Brief Overview of India

1. Brief History

India has a rich and ancient history dating back over 5,000 years. It was home to the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban cultures. Over centuries, the region saw the rise and fall of powerful empires like the Maurya, Gupta, Mughal, and Maratha. In the 17th century, European powers—primarily the British—established control, leading to the formation of British India under colonial rule. India gained independence on August 15, 1947, after a long non-violent freedom struggle led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

2. Location

• Pakistan (west)
• China, Nepal, Bhutan (north)
• Bangladesh and Myanmar (east)
• Surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the south

It is the seventh-largest country by land area and the most populous as of 2023.

3. Development

India is a federal parliamentary democratic republic with 28 states and 8 union territories. Since economic liberalization began in 1991, India has transitioned from a primarily agrarian economy to a major global hub for services, information technology, and manufacturing. The country has made significant progress in space research, infrastructure, digital technology, and renewable energy, though challenges in poverty, education, and healthcare persist.

4. Population Demographics

• Population: ~1.44 billion (2025 est.)
• Age Structure:
  • ~25% under age 15
  • ~65% working-age (15–64)
  • ~10% elderly (65+)
• Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Indo-Aryan (~72%), Dravidian (~25%), others (~3%).
• Languages: Over 1,600 languages; official languages are Hindi and English.
• Religions:
  • Hinduism (~79%)
  • Islam (~14%)
  • Christianity (~2.3%)
  • Sikhism (~1.7%)
  • Others: Buddhism, Jainism, etc.

5. Economy Overview

• GDP (Nominal): ~$4.2 trillion (2025 est., 5th largest globally)
• Major Sectors:
  • Agriculture: Employs ~40% of the population
  • Industry: Includes textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, and automobiles
  • Services: IT, telecommunications, finance — largest contributor to GDP
• Key Exports: Software services, petroleum products, precious stones, textiles
• Challenges: Income inequality, unemployment, inflation, rural poverty

---

India–Serbia Relations

1. Historical Ties

• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): India and the former Yugoslavia (of which Serbia was a part) were founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement in the 1960s. India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Yugoslavia’s President Josip Broz Tito shared a strong personal and political bond. This historical foundation created a legacy of mutual respect and solidarity, which has continued between India and Serbia.
• Post-Yugoslavia Relations: After the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, India continued to maintain strong diplomatic relations with Serbia, the legal successor to Yugoslavia. India was one of the countries that did not recognize the independence of Kosovo, aligning with Serbia’s territorial integrity.

2. Economic Ties

• Trade and Investment: Bilateral trade has been modest but steady, covering sectors such as:
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Agro-products
  • Information technology
  • Industrial machinery
• Serbia has shown interest in increasing Indian investments in automotive, agriculture, infrastructure, and ICT sectors.
• Trade Statistics: Total bilateral trade ranges between $100 million to $200 million annually. India primarily exports pharmaceuticals, textiles, IT services, and machinery. Serbia exports industrial goods, raw materials, and agri-products to India.
• Business Cooperation: Business delegations from both countries have exchanged visits. India-Serbia Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meetings are held periodically to enhance economic cooperation.

3. Bilateral Relations

• Diplomatic Ties: Serbia has an embassy in New Delhi. India has an embassy in Belgrade. Regular high-level visits have taken place to strengthen ties, including political, cultural, and business delegations.
• Support on International Issues: India supports Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, notably regarding Kosovo. Serbia supports India’s aspiration for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
• Agreements and MOUs: Multiple agreements have been signed on:
  • Cultural exchange
  • Tourism
  • Defense cooperation
  • Science and technology
  • Education and skill development
• People-to-People and Cultural Ties: Growing cultural exchanges through film, yoga, and educational scholarships. Indian festivals and cultural events are celebrated in Serbia, and Serbian artists participate in Indian cultural programs.

India and Serbia share a warm, historically rooted relationship that has evolved through decades of political solidarity, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. Both countries continue to deepen their ties across multiple sectors, with shared positions on key international issues strengthening their partnership.