Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Croatian counterpart, Andrej Plenkovic, on Wednesday to discuss early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and strategies to strengthen bilateral relations. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the five-day AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from across the globe to explore technology-driven collaboration.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that both leaders exchanged views on enhancing India-Croatia relations and expanding cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, information and communication technologies, innovation, and clean energy. They agreed to work closely for the swift execution of the India-EU FTA. PM Modi also acknowledged the strong interest among Croatians in Indian culture, particularly Indology, Yoga, and Ayurveda, highlighting the deep cultural ties between the nations.
Earlier, PM Modi engaged with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, emphasizing the potential for greater cooperation in sustainability, digitalization, AI research, and ethical innovation. Expressing gratitude for Finland’s “personal support” for the India-EU FTA, Modi described the agreement as ushering in a new era of India-Europe relations. Both leaders discussed strengthening trade ties, targeting a doubling of economic exchange, and advancing collaborative projects in futuristic technologies such as 6G, clean energy, biofuels, circular economy solutions, and innovation-driven growth.
The India-EU Free Trade Agreement, finalized on January 26, 2026, aims to create a vast trading bloc of over 2 billion people. The agreement seeks to reduce tariffs on key goods including automobiles, alcoholic beverages, and food products, while opening markets for services and supporting cooperation in clean technology and digital trade. Often termed the “Mother of All Deals,” the FTA is designed to gradually lower tariffs while safeguarding sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture, creating opportunities for robust economic growth across both regions.
With these high-level engagements during the AI Impact Summit 2026, India is advancing its strategic partnerships with EU nations, combining economic, technological, and cultural collaboration to strengthen ties and drive innovation for the future.
