PM Modi Croatia Visit: PM Modi’s first-ever visit to Croatia saw over four key MoUs signed, high-level talks with both the President and Prime Minister of Croatia, and a renewed focus on strategic defence, cultural diplomacy, and trade innovation. With Croatia hosting one of Europe’s oldest Indology departments and rising public interest in Yoga and Ayurveda, the visit marked a pivotal moment in India’s expanding influence in Central and Southeast Europe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Croatia has concluded, setting the stage for a transformative Indo-Croatian partnership. From signing key Memorandums of Understanding in agriculture, science and technology, and cultural exchange to launching a Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb, the visit blended diplomacy with deep-rooted cultural ties. PM Modi met both Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and President Zoran Milanović, holding wide-ranging talks on peace, democratic values, defence, and global cooperation. As Sanskrit shlokas and classical dance welcomed India’s leader, the visit also reinforced India’s global message of dialogue over conflict and the urgent need for united action against terrorism.
PM Modi Receives Grand Cultural Welcome in Croatia Marked by Sanskrit Shlokas and Indian Classical Dance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a grand and culturally vibrant welcome upon his arrival in Croatia, marking the start of his historic official visit. In a rare and heartfelt gesture, Croatian hosts greeted PM Modi with recitations of Sanskrit shlokas and captivating performances of Indian classical dance forms, including Kathak — reflecting deep cultural admiration and long-standing civilizational ties between the two nations.
This extraordinary reception underscored Croatia’s unique connection with Indian heritage. The University of Zagreb, home to one of Europe’s oldest Indology departments, has been a beacon of Sanskrit and Hindi studies for over six decades. PM Modi’s welcome by scholars, cultural artists, and dignitaries was not only symbolic but also showcased Croatia’s growing enthusiasm for Indian traditions, Yoga, Ayurveda, and language.
The warm hospitality highlighted the cultural soft power that continues to deepen India’s global relations — especially with countries that share a profound respect for its spiritual and intellectual legacy.
PM Modi Croatia Visit: India and Croatia Sign Strategic MoUs to Boost Cooperation in Agriculture, Science, Culture and Hindi Studies
One of the key highlights of PM Modi’s Croatia visit was the signing of four landmark Memorandums of Understanding aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across critical sectors. These MoUs mark a strategic step forward in India-Croatia relations, laying the foundation for joint progress in both traditional and emerging areas of collaboration.
The agreements include:
- An MoU on Agriculture and Allied Sectors, strengthening food security and farm innovation.
- A Cultural Exchange Programme (2026–2030), enhancing people-to-people ties through festivals, arts, and academic initiatives.
- A Science & Technology Cooperation Programme (2025–2029), enabling research partnerships and innovation-driven projects between institutions.
- An MoU to Establish a Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb, reflecting Croatia’s deep-rooted interest in Indian language, literature, and Indology.
These MoUs represent a balanced mix of strategic interests and cultural depth, reinforcing India’s position as a trusted partner in Europe and highlighting Croatia’s unique enthusiasm for Indian heritage, especially in Sanskrit, Hindi, Yoga, and Ayurveda.
PM Modi Strengthens India-Croatia Defence, Trade and Tech Ties with Long-Term Strategic Vision
During his high-level meetings in Zagreb, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković agreed to significantly boost collaboration in key strategic sectors including defence, trade, cybersecurity, clean energy, and digital technology. The discussions marked a decisive step toward building a resilient and future-ready Indo-Croatian partnership.
The two leaders committed to formulating a long-term Defence Cooperation Plan that will facilitate joint military training, personnel exchanges, and greater synergy between defence industries. PM Modi also highlighted India’s emerging role in semiconductors, renewable energy, and IT infrastructure, inviting Croatian businesses to invest and innovate together in these transformative sectors.
Additionally, both sides agreed on the importance of building dependable supply chains, especially in sensitive areas like pharma and critical technologies. These outcomes not only reflect growing mutual trust but also elevate India-Croatia ties to a comprehensive strategic level, reinforcing India’s expanding engagement with Central and Southeast Europe.
PM Modi Calls for Dialogue Over War, Reaffirms India’s Stand on Sovereignty and Global Stability
In his public remarks during the Croatia visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a compelling case for peaceful conflict resolution amid rising global instability. Reiterating India’s long-standing diplomatic stance, PM Modi stated that “solutions cannot be found on the battlefield,” and emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are the only sustainable paths forward.
He underlined India’s firm commitment to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations — a message especially relevant in today’s fractured geopolitical climate. PM Modi’s call for a united, rules-based international order was well-received by the Croatian leadership, who echoed India’s belief in pluralism, multilateralism, and cooperation among democracies.
This strong and principled message added significant diplomatic weight to the visit, reinforcing India’s role as a responsible global leader and peacemaker in both the European and Indo-Pacific contexts.
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