PM Modi Arrives At Croatia, First Indian PM To Visit Balkan Nation

Last Updated:June 18, 2025, 18:24 IST

This is the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relationship. 

In a special gesture, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković received PM Modi at the airport. (X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Croatia, on the first-ever visit by an Indian premier, during which he will hold talks with the country’s leadership to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

In a special gesture, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković received PM Modi at the airport.

“A short while ago, landed in Zagreb, Croatia. This is a special visit, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister to a valued European partner. I am grateful to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković for the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Plenković said that Modi’s visit came at an important geopolitical moment.

“We welcomed Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi to Zagreb! This is the first ever visit by the Prime Minister of India – the most populous country in the world, which comes at an important geopolitical moment," Plenković said on X.

He said the two countries are starting a new chapter in their relations and are creating conditions for strengthening bilateral cooperation in multiple areas and sectors.

On his arrival at the hotel Modi was welcomed by the members of the Indian diaspora who greeted him with slogans like “Vande Mataram" and “Bharat Mata ki Jai." There was also a dance performance in traditional Indian attires.

He arrived in Croatian capital of Zagreb on the last leg of his three-nation visit after wrapping up his landmark visit to Canada where he attended the 51st Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Kananaskis. He had earlier visited Cyprus as part of the tour.

During his visit PM Modi will hold bilateral talks with his Croatian counterpart Plenković and will meet President Zoran Milanovic. Earlier PM Modi briefly interacted with Croatian PM at COP-26 in 2021 and during the virtual India-European Union Leaders Meeting the same year.

What’s On Agenda?

The visit, expected to deepen strategic cooperation, will feature delegation-level talks, agreements in key sectors, and cultural diplomacy. During the visit, India and Croatia will sign major agreements in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, education and culture.

Both countries share centuries-old cultural connections, which PM Modi aims to deepen during this landmark visit.

An agreement on the extension of the Cultural Exchange Programme until 2030 is also expected to be signed, spanning performing arts, museums, archaeology, and media. The Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb will also be extended, boosting India’s linguistic and educational outreach.

Talks are also expected to cover the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a major infrastructure project aimed at boosting connectivity and trade, offering an alternative to existing global routes.

The visit comes amid growing support from Croatia for India’s stand on terrorism and its bid for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council.

India-Croatia Ties

India and Croatia have close cooperation in trade, investment, defence, agriculture sectors amongst others, and also cooperate in international fora, vibrant cultural exchanges and close people-to-people ties.

The bilateral trade between both nations is about $300 million. Additionally the Indian Investments in Croatia-Euro 44.51 (roughly $48) million; while Croatian Investments in India-Euro 5.55 (roughly $6) million.

The Indian community in Croatia has changed over the last three years rapidly due to demographic situation in Croatia where a lot of foreign workers are being employed for carrying out work in different sectors of economy.

Approximately 17,000 Indians were residing in Croatia in December. Many of the Indian workers are working on short to medium-term contracts and therefore at least, 90 per cent of the people currently residing are those who form a part of the mobile population staying in Croatia for a specific contractual period.

(With inputs from agencies)

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