Hungary: On the first leg of her visit to Hungary and Bulgaria, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi reached Hungary on November 28.

​During her two-day (from November 28-29, 2023) visit to Hungary, MoS will address a conference at the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA). 

The Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) is a non-profit economic organization with the ownership of the Hungarian State, which functions as a think tank and serves research purposes.

MoS Lekhi will also meet the Deputy Foreign Minister, Culture Minister and other higher dignitaries. 

She will also visit the Indology Centre at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) and interact with students and Indian diaspora.

As the MoS reached Hungary, posting on X, she wrote, "Received a warm welcome upon arrival in Hungary at the Budapest Airport. Look forward to meeting 

the Hungarian authorities, think tanks, intellectuals and academics and exchanging views on areas of mutual interest. Also, to interact with the Indian diaspora."

Following her visit to Hungary, MoS will proceed to Bulgaria. 

During her visit to Bulgaria (from November 30 - December 01, 2023), in Sofia, MoS will called on Vice President of Bulgaria. 

She will also meet with the Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister and the Cultural Minister of Bulgaria. 

MoS Lekhi will pay tribute at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi there.

MoS for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi's visit to Hungary and Bulgaria is expected to further strengthen India's bilateral relations with these countries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.