Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic maiden visit to Croatia on June 18, 2025, was a watershed moment in India-Croatia’s growing cooperation, as it was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since diplomatic relations were established in 1992. The visit took place against the backdrop of global uncertainty, with both countries aiming to strengthen cooperation in a variety of fields like as defense, trade, technology, and culture.
The signing of four crucial Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), which will influence the trajectory of bilateral cooperation, was a major focus of the visit. These agreements include collaboration in agriculture and related industries, a scientific and technology cooperation program, a cultural exchange program, and a memorandum of understanding for the Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb to promote Indian language and culture.
The extension of the Hindi Chair until 2030, as well as the completion of a five-year cultural exchange program, highlight the two countries’ long-standing academic and civilizational ties, with the University of Zagreb’s Indology department serving as a focal point for Indian studies in Europe for over six decades.
During delegation-level meetings, Prime Minister Modi and his Croatian counterpart, Andrej Plenkovic, addressed methods to strengthen bilateral trade and supply chain resilience, with a special emphasis on the early completion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The leaders also committed to strengthen defense collaboration by building on past agreements and developing a long-term Defense Cooperation Plan that focuses on training, military exchange, and defense industrial cooperation. The India-Croatia Startup Bridge Initiative, which was inaugurated in 2021, has been reinforced as a platform for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship by offering international market access to businesses from both nations, particularly in domains such as AI, green tech, and robotics.
The visit also focused on broader strategic themes. Both leaders stressed the importance of discussion and diplomacy in addressing global crises, reaffirmed their commitment to counterterrorism, and thanked Croatia for its support following the terror events in Pahalgam. The talks included discussions about improving connectivity through initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), as well as the expected signature of a mobility agreement to allow people movement for tourism, education, and business.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the two economies’ complementarity, highlighting potential for Croatian enterprises in India’s port modernization and coastal development projects, particularly through the Sagarmala initiative. Both parties also committed to extend their collaboration in pharmaceuticals, information technology, clean and digital technologies, and renewable energy.
The visit was marked by warm cultural exchanges, including traditional Indian performances and widespread appreciation for Indian culture among Croatians, demonstrating the strong people-to-people bonds that sustain the bilateral relationship. The historic nature of the visit, the signing of landmark agreements, and the renewed commitment to strategic, economic, and cultural cooperation highlight the growing momentum in the India-Croatia partnership, as well as its importance within the larger context of the India-EU Strategic Partnership and India’s engagement with Central and Eastern Europe.