Croatia-India relations on the rise: This visit marks continuity of high-level engagement

At the invitation of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Narendra Modi, is on an official visit to the Republic of Croatia. This marks the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia—the most populous country in the world—at a significant geopolitical moment. "We are opening a new chapter in Croatia-India relations and creating the conditions for strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors," said Prime Minister Plenković, welcoming Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival at Zagreb Airport.
 
The Embassy of India in Zagreb organized a reception where the Prime Ministers of Croatia and India greeted members of the Indian community and Croatians with ties to India.

“We are grateful for their substantial contributions to the development of relations between Croatia and India,” said the Croatian Prime Minister.
 
Plenković emphasized that India is an important Asian trade partner for Croatia, noting that bilateral trade last year totalled 242 million US dollars, with a 10% increase recorded in goods exchange during the first quarter of 2025. The number of Indian tourists visiting Croatia is also steadily growing.
 
Following the meeting at Banski Dvori (the seat of the Croatian Government), several agreements were signed in the fields of agriculture, culture, science and technology, and university cooperation.



“We want to strengthen cooperation in ICT, the pharmaceutical industry, and maritime transport as well,” said Plenković, adding that he presented to his Indian counterpart the strategic potential of Croatia as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe.
 
The two Prime Ministers also discussed the situation in the Middle East, global security challenges, and emphasized the importance of strengthening EU-India relations.



Plenković reiterated his deep condolences to the people of India and the families of the victims of the tragic plane crash near Ahmedabad.
 
Facsimile of Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar and a copy of Croatia & India, Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business presented to Modi
 
As part of the gift exchange, Prime Minister Plenković presented Modi with a facsimile edition 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 knowledge he acquired during his stay in India from Kerala Brahmins and local manuscripts.
 
"With this pioneering work, Filip Vezdin became one of the first European scholars to seriously engage with Indian languages and culture. It also symbolizes the early cultural ties between Croatia and India," stated Plenković.
 
Plenković also gifted Modi a copy of the book Croatia & India: Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business by Croatian diplomat Dr. Siniša Grgić, which offers a unique and comprehensive comparison of the two countries and explores all dimensions of bilateral relations.
 
“This book reflects our achievements, as well as the untapped potential, and we believe it will inspire and encourage deeper cooperation and further strengthen the friendship between Croatia and India,” said Prime Minister Plenković.
 
In his statement to the media, Plenković reiterated that relations between the two countries are on an upward trajectory and that this visit represents a continuation of high-level engagement.
 
Agreements signed in agriculture, culture, and science

Four agreements were signed: one in the field of agricultural cooperation, multi-year cooperation programs in culture and science, and a key agreement on collaboration between the University of Zagreb and its Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences with Indian partners—especially concerning the study of Indology.



“We also discussed economic relations. Current trade between the two countries is around 250 million dollars, which provides a strong foundation for expanding trade. We see Prime Minister Modi’s initiative to establish an economic corridor between India, the Middle East, and Europe as an excellent opportunity,” said Plenković.
 
He added that this is a chance to connect Croatia—as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe—with India, its economy, and its market, particularly as Croatia holds the presidency of the Three Seas Initiative this year, linking the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas.
 
The Croatian Prime Minister also emphasized that discussions included India’s efforts to conclude a free trade agreement with the European Union, which Croatia fully supports.
 
They also addressed many international topics of global importance.



Modi began this international tour with a stop in Cyprus, followed by participation in the G7 Summit in Canada, and then his current visit to Croatia.
 
Plenković said the two leaders also discussed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the war that broke out between Israel and Iran, and they both expressed sorrow and condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in India, to which India has responded.
 
Future cooperation in economy and defence

“We especially understood the Prime Minister’s message about fighting terrorism and agreed on further cooperation in both the economic and defence sectors. I informed Prime Minister Modi of Croatia’s planned increase in defence spending,” said Plenković.
 
After the formal program at Banski Dvori, and in the presence of Prime Minister Plenković, Prime Minister Modi laid a wreath at the Monument to the Homeland in honour of those who died in the Homeland War, and then took a brief walk through the city.



Plenković noted that Modi was in good spirits, that he enjoyed Zagreb, and that during the walk, they shared some stories about the history of the Upper Town, the city itself, and modern-day Croatia.



Plenković reiterated that it was excellent that the Indian Prime Minister accepted his invitation to visit Croatia. The visit had initially been scheduled for about a month earlier but was postponed due to a terrorist attack and escalating conflict between India and Pakistan.
 
“Nevertheless, he included Croatia in his Cyprus-Canada-Croatia tour, and this visit is undoubtedly a great boost to strengthening our political and economic partnership with the most populous country in the world,” said Plenković.
 
He emphasized that this is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to democratic Croatia, and as such, it significantly raises Croatia’s visibility on the Indian market.
 
“All Indian media will be covering this visit, and I believe it will contribute to economic exchange and the continued growth in the number of Indian tourists—last year we welcomed 60,000 of them to Croatia,” said Prime Minister Plenković.
 
The official visit concluded with a formal dinner hosted by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, attended by public figures and representatives from the business, cultural, scientific, and sports sectors with connections to both Croatia and India.


 

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