Prime Minister Modi in Zagreb: Relations between Croatia and India are on the rise

At the invitation of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, was on an official visit to the Republic of Croatia. This is the first visit by the Prime Minister of India - the most populous country in the world, and it is taking place at an important geopolitical moment. We are starting a new chapter in relations between Croatia and India and creating the preconditions for strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of areas, said Plenković, welcoming Indian Prime Minister Modi upon landing at Zagreb Airport.

The Embassy of India in Zagreb organized a reception at which the Prime Ministers of Croatia and India greeted representatives of the Indian community and Croatians with ties to India.
 
"We are grateful to them for their great contribution to the development of relations between Croatia and India," said the Croatian Prime Minister.
 
India is an important Asian trade partner for Croatia, emphasized Plenković, adding that last year's exchange amounted to 242 million dollars, while in the first three months of 2025 we recorded an increase in trade by 10 percent. At the same time, the number of Indian tourists visiting Croatia is also growing.
 
After the meeting at Banski Dvori, agreements were signed in the fields of agriculture, culture, science and technology, and university cooperation.
 
"We also want to strengthen cooperation in the ICT, pharmaceutical and maritime sectors," said Plenković, adding that he presented Croatia's potential as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe to his Indian counterpart.
 
The two prime ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East, global security challenges and stressed the importance of strengthening EU-India relations.
 
Plenković once again expressed his deep condolences to the Indian people and the families of the victims of the tragic plane crash near Ahmedabad.
 
Prime Minister Modi presented with a reprint of Vezdin's Sanskrit grammar and the book Croatia & India, Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business
 
The Prime Ministers exchanged gifts. Plenković presented Indian Prime Minister Modi with a reprint of Vezdin's Sanskrit Grammar - the first printed Sanskrit grammar, written in Latin in 1790 by Croatian scholar and missionary Filip Vezdin (1748-1806), based on the knowledge he gained while living in India from Kerala Brahmins and local manuscripts.
 
"With this pioneering work, Filip Vezdin became one of the first European scholars to seriously devote himself to Indian languages ​​and culture. At the same time, this is also a symbol of the early cultural ties between Croatia and India," said Plenković.
 
Agreements signed in the field of cooperation in agriculture, culture and science
 
Four agreements were signed: in the field of cooperation in agriculture, multi-year cooperation programs in culture and science, and an equally important cooperation agreement between the University of Zagreb and the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb with partners in India, especially regarding the study of Indology.
 
As part of the exchange of gifts, the Croatian Prime Minister also presented the book "Croatia & India, Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business" by Croatian diplomat Dr. Siniša Grgić - which provides a unique and comprehensive comparative overview of our two countries and explores all dimensions of bilateral relations.
 
"This book reflects our achievements, as well as the potential that we can still realize, and we believe that it will inspire and encourage the strengthening of our future cooperation and contribute to the further deepening of mutual friendship between Croatia and India," said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
 
In a statement to the media, the Croatian Prime Minister reiterated that relations between the two countries are on an upward trajectory and that this visit represents a continuity of meetings at the highest level.
 
"We also discussed economic relations. The current exchange between the two countries is around 250 million dollars. It is the basis for greater trade. We believe that Prime Minister Modi's initiative to establish an economic corridor between India, the Middle East and Europe is a great opportunity," said Plenković.
 
He added that this is an opportunity to connect Croatia, as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe, with India, its economy and its market, especially in the context of the fact that Croatia is chairing the Three Seas Initiative this year, which connects the Baltic, Black Sea and Adriatic.
 
The Croatian Prime Minister pointed out that they also discussed India's efforts to conclude a free trade agreement with the European Union, which Croatia supports.
 
He also said that they discussed numerous international topics of global interest.
 
Prime Minister Modi first chose Cyprus for this visit, then went to Canada for the G7 meeting, and today he is in Croatia.
 
Plenković said that the two prime ministers also discussed the Russian aggression on Ukraine, the war that broke out between Israel and Iran, and expressed regret and condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in India and to which India reacted.
 
Further cooperation in the field of economy and defense agreed
 
"We particularly understood the Prime Minister's message on the fight against terrorism and agreed on further cooperation in the field of economy, but also defense. I announced to the Indian Prime Minister increased defense spending by Croatia," he said.
 
After the program at Banski Dvori, in the presence of Prime Minister Plenković, Prime Minister Modi laid a wreath at the Monument to the Motherland for the victims of the Homeland War and took a short walk through the city.
 
The official visit to Croatia by Indian Prime Minister Modi ended with an official dinner hosted by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, which was also attended by figures from public, economic, cultural, scientific and sporting life who connect Croatia and India.

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