Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the Historic city centre with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, it Zagreb, on June 18, 2025.
India and Croatia Seal Dynamic Partnership with Focus on Key Sectors
Zagreb: In a historic first, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Zagreb on June 18, 2025, ignited a new era in India-Croatia relations, with deepened cooperation in infrastructure, ports and shipping, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and tourism and hospitality taking centre stage. Meeting Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the storied Banski Dvori palace, where Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome, the leaders charted an ambitious path for bilateral ties. Plenkovic’s personal greeting of Modi at Zagreb’s airport earlier that day underscored the warmth of this burgeoning partnership, as their delegation-level talks unveiled a blueprint for economic synergy and global collaboration amid shared regional and international priorities.
The discussions spanned an extensive range of bilateral engagements, covering trade and investment, science and technology, defence and security, space exploration, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connections. Modi and Plenkovic pinpointed transformative opportunities in infrastructure development, port modernisation, and shipping to enhance trade connectivity, recognising these as vital arteries for economic growth. Digitalisation and AI were flagged as game-changers, with both nations eager to harness cutting-edge technologies for innovation and progress. Renewable energy emerged as a cornerstone of their shared vision, aligning with global imperatives for sustainability and climate action. Pharmaceuticals offered fertile ground for collaborative research, production, and market expansion, while tourism and hospitality, fueled by Croatia’s coastal charm and India’s booming travel sector, promised rich cultural and economic dividends. The leaders celebrated the rising tide of Indian culture, Indology, and Yoga in Croatia, which has woven tighter bonds between their peoples. Modi extended warm wishes to Croatian yoga enthusiasts for the upcoming International Yoga Day on June 21, highlighting the cultural threads strengthening this partnership.
Both leaders spotlighted recent efforts to nurture start-up ecosystems and innovation linkages, stressing the urgency of fostering robust business-to-business collaboration to propel inclusive and sustainable growth. Modi invited Croatia to tap into India’s vast reservoir of skilled talent, proposing institutional mechanisms for workforce mobility to support investment partnerships and joint ventures. Enhanced connectivity was a pivotal theme, with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) identified as a strategic conduit to streamline trade and economic flows. The leaders concurred that Croatia could serve as India’s gateway to Central and Southeastern Europe, positioning it as a critical hub for India’s broader European outreach and amplifying mutual economic prospects.
The summit also tackled pressing regional and global issues, including the need for reform in the United Nations and other international institutions to better reflect today’s geopolitical realities. Climate change action was a mutual commitment, with both leaders reaffirming their resolve to advance sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Modi expressed deep gratitude to Plenkovic for Croatia’s steadfast solidarity in India’s battle against terrorism, emphasising the imperative of a unified global stance to counter this threat. The leaders voiced contentment with the deepening India-EU strategic partnership and lent their support to the swift conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which holds the potential to significantly boost bilateral trade and investment.
The talks in Zagreb culminated in the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding in agriculture, science and technology, culture, and the renewal of a Hindi Chair, cementing commitments to expand collaboration across these domains. A Joint Statement was issued, encapsulating the summit’s outcomes and outlining a forward-looking roadmap for bilateral cooperation. Plenkovic hosted a gracious dinner in Modi’s honour, reflecting Croatia’s hospitality and the growing rapport between the leaders. Modi reciprocated by inviting Plenkovic to visit India at a mutually convenient time, signalling a pledge to sustain high-level dialogue and nurture this evolving partnership.
Modi also met with the President of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Zoran Milanović, in Zagreb today. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to close and friendly ties between the two countries, based on shared values of democracy, rule of law and the shared goal of international peace and stability. They expressed satisfaction at the diversification of bilateral cooperation in newer areas such as defence, start-up, sports and innovation. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Milanovic for Croatia’s strong support and solidarity extended to India in its fight against terrorism. The leaders also discussed close cultural linkages dating back many centuries, which bind the two countries. They noted that India-EU strategic partnership has deepened in recent times, and this would add value to India-Croatia relations in several ways. The two leaders agreed to work together to unlock the full potential of India-Croatia ties.
The India-Croatia summit marks a “turning point”, with both nations poised to leverage their complementary strengths in infrastructure, technology, and sustainable development. By forging a “dynamic alliance” rooted in shared economic and cultural aspirations, India and Croatia are well-positioned to contribute to regional stability and global progress, setting a model for collaborative growth in an interconnected world.
– global bihari bureau
