This may seem like a slightly belated reaction to India’s president’s visit to Macedonia on 20-23 July. The visit of India’s President Droupadi Murmu, hosted by Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, was undoubtedly a significant event for a small state like Macedonia. In Macedonia, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski remains the central political actor, while the president largely performs diplomatic, cultural and representational duties. Her voice is powerful and uncompromising – unlike the institutional silence of India’s president. This is the paradox of contemporary politics: presidents are not expected to demonstrate courage, but discipline; female presidents even more so.