Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s groundbreaking visit to Croatia has opened new avenues for strategic cooperation between India and the Central European nation. This landmark trip, the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister, underscores India’s growing diplomatic outreach to Central and Eastern Europe, with a focus on enhancing ties in defense, trade, technology, and culture.
During this high-level engagement, four pivotal agreements were signed — covering agriculture, science and technology collaboration, a renewed cultural exchange program, and the continuation of the Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb until 2030. These steps aim to reinforce cultural diplomacy and academic linkages.
PM Modi and Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic jointly emphasized accelerating bilateral trade and ensuring resilient supply chains. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement swiftly, recognizing its potential to elevate commerce between the two regions.
A major area of collaboration is defense. The two nations agreed to create a long-term Defense Cooperation Plan, focusing on joint training programs, military exchanges, and deeper engagement in defense industries. This move builds on a previous MoU signed in 2021 and is intended to promote sustained strategic alignment.
Technology and innovation also featured prominently in discussions. The India-Croatia Startup Bridge Initiative, launched in 2021, will receive renewed support to foster cross-border innovation in fields like artificial intelligence, green technology, and robotics. Croatia’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem in the Balkans presents a key entry point for Indian entrepreneurs exploring the European market.
Counter-terrorism cooperation and regional security issues were also on the agenda, with PM Modi expressing appreciation for Croatia’s solidarity following the Pahalgam terror attack. The leaders acknowledged shared democratic values and the need for collective global responses to current geopolitical challenges.
Modi further highlighted opportunities for Croatian companies to participate in India’s infrastructure transformation, particularly in maritime projects under the Sagarmala initiative, port modernization, and multi-modal connectivity.
Cultural ties received a fresh boost with a new five-year cultural exchange program and a soon-to-be-finalized mobility agreement to ease the movement of professionals and students.
Concluding his visit, PM Modi expressed heartfelt gratitude for the warm hospitality and said this historic visit reflects the shared vision and democratic spirit that bind India and Croatia together. The trip signifies a new chapter in India’s European engagement strategy.
