PM Modi Gets Historic Welcome in Croatia Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an overwhelming and emotional welcome in Zagreb, Croatia, as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to officially visit the country. The event marked a historic milestone in India-Croatia relations and formed the final leg of his three-nation tour that also included Cyprus and Canada for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic personally received PM Modi at Franjo Tudman Airport with full ceremonial honors, reflecting the importance of the visit. PM Modi expressed his gratitude for the special welcome and termed the visit as a significant moment for deepening strategic and cultural ties.
Crowds of Indian community members and local citizens gathered in large numbers, lining the roads to greet PM Modi’s motorcade. Chants of “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, and “Vande Mataram” echoed through Zagreb. Vedic chants resonated as PM Modi joined locals in a display of cultural unity and spirituality.
In his interaction, the Prime Minister said that centuries-old cultural links bind India and Croatia. He emphasized that this tour is an opportunity to thank partner nations for supporting India against terrorism and to boost global efforts in combating cross-border threats.
The visit is expected to lay the groundwork for enhanced cooperation across sectors like trade, defence, ports, clean tech, science, workforce mobility, and cultural exchange. Analysts believe the visit could be pivotal in transforming India-Croatia ties from symbolic to strategic.
India and Croatia currently engage in trade worth approximately USD 300 million, and Indian investment in Croatia stands around USD 48 million. Both nations also share historic links, including missionary connections from Dubrovnik to Goa, and the building of the Church of Sao Braz by Croatians in the 1500s.
The Indian community in Croatia has grown significantly in recent years, now numbering around 17,000. Most are on contractual assignments in various sectors, forming a vibrant mobile population.
PM Modi’s visit comes after interactions with Croatian leadership at international forums like COP-26 and the 2021 India-EU virtual summit. Former President Ram Nath Kovind was also conferred Croatia’s highest civilian award during his 2019 state visit.
This historic visit marks a renewed chapter in India-Croatia relations, strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties for a shared future.
