Prez Murmu to travel to Suriname, Serbia next month on first state visit

President Droupadi Murmu will embark on a state visit to Suriname from June 4, her first since assuming office in July last year, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday.

Murmu will hold bilateral talks with her Suriname counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi and be the chief guest at celebrations to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in the South American nation.

The President will be in Suriname till June 6 and visit places of historical and cultural importance and interact with members of the Indian community and diaspora.

"President Murmu's visit to Suriname marks her first State visit since assuming the office of the President last year," the MEA statement said.

Santokhi was in India in January this year as a guest of honour for the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and had met Murmu.

On the second leg of her tour, Murmu will be on a state visit to Serbia from June 7, the first-ever by a head of state from either side, the External Affairs Minist