When Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Croatia on June 18, 2025, it will be more than just a diplomatic first; it will be a moment that connects two cultures with deep historical and civilisational ties. Modi will become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia since the two countries established formal relations in 1992, but the roots of their connection go back much further, carried through language, spirituality, and shared curiosity.
Centuries ago, a Croatian scholar named Ivan Filip Vezdin made history by publishing the world’s first printed Sanskrit grammar in 1790. His passion for Indian knowledge systems symbolised a cultural bond that has only grown stronger with time. Today, Sanskrit continues to be studied at the University of Zagreb, while yoga and Ayurveda are widely embraced by Croatian citizens, not as exotic imports, but as meaningful parts of their daily lives.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit is part of a larger diplomatic tour including Cyprus and Canada, but his stop in Croatia carries a special emotional and cultural weight. It speaks not just of trade and strategy, but of a mutual respect that has quietly blossomed over generations. Croatia may be a small country in size, but for India, it represents a significant partner in both heart and policy, especially as Indian companies look at it as a gateway to Europe, and Croatian businesses turn to India as a fast-growing market for innovation and technology.
As PM Modi engages with Croatian leaders, he is expected to push forward discussions on trade, startups, and education. But beyond the boardrooms, this visit will also celebrate something timeless: a connection rooted in shared values, spiritual curiosity, and the belief, echoed in the ancient Sanskrit phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, that the whole world is one family.
Why is this visit historic?
This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister is visiting Croatia after its independence in 1991 and the opening of diplomatic ties in 1992. While former Indian President Ram Nath Kovind had visited Croatia in 2019 and some Croatian dignitaries have visited India, this high-level executive interaction is a major upgrade of relations.
In Zagreb, Prime Minister Modi is set to meet at length with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and President Zoran Milanovic. The leaders will exchange views on a broad range of issues like bilateral trade, maritime cooperation, regional security, EU-India relations, innovation partnerships, and cultural exchange.
Croatia’s significance to India
Even though Croatia, as a nation is smaller in size and population than some of the other EU countries, its geographical location, political alignments, and emerging economy render it an important ally for India.
1) Geographic Location: Croatia is situated on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. This positions it as a maritime country with access to strategic European transportation corridors. Their ports like Rijeka, Split, and Ploce fall under the European Union core TEN-T network, which supports trans-European transport infrastructure. These can become vital nodes for Indian European exports, particularly when international logistics routes are being reshaped post-COVID and in the aftermath of Suez and Red Sea disturbance.
India is strongly promoting the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which aims to bridge Indian merchandise to Europe through the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Croatia would be a critical link in this new chain of trade, particularly for distribution to Central and Eastern Europe.
2) Croatia in the European Union and NATO: Croatia is a full time member of the European Union as well as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. This double membership provides it with considerable political authority and access to economic as well as security discourses throughout the continent.
For India, engaging Croatia provides indirect access to a number of regulatory systems and policy debates in the EU. It can also serve to bolster India’s position in the then-on-going negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which had been delayed because of regulatory and geopolitical problems.
3) Support for India at Multilateral Forums: Croatia has been a firm ally to India’s interests on the international platform. It has expressed its support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and has not been against India’s stances on internal issues like Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike many of the larger European Union countries, Croatia has adopted an even-handed and non-interventionist policy, and hence a believable and reliable diplomatic friend.
Key benefits to India from this relationship
1) Trade and Investment: India and Croatia enjoy a progressively developing economic relationship, although the overall trade is moderate. In 2023, bilateral trade was at around USD 337.68 million, with India exporting medicines, chemicals, machinery, apparel, and engineering products, and importing precision instruments, foodstuffs, and wood products from Croatia. Between January and November 2024, trade reached USD 306.03 million, showing ongoing interest.
In spite of the comparatively small size of Croatia’s market, Indian companies regard it as a strategic gateway to the European Union, particularly for areas such as pharmaceuticals, information technology, and engineering. In return, Croatian companies consider India as a high-growth market for sophisticated manufacturing and intelligent energy technologies.
To consolidate this cooperation, the two nations have the institutional mechanisms of the India-Croatia Agreement on Economic Cooperation (2017), the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (2001), and the Air Services Agreement (2000). The Second Session of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation took place in 2022 with an emphasis on trade facilitation, investment, and industrial cooperation.
Digital innovation is also a rising field of collaboration. The India-Croatia Startup Bridge, initiated in 2021, and a collaborative Startup Challenge in 2022 have encouraged entrepreneurial cooperation in fields such as AI, green tech, and robotics.
High-level engagements, including expected discussions during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, are likely to focus on reducing non-tariff barriers, easing regulatory pathways, and encouraging startup and SME cooperation. Both governments are exploring the creation of joint incubation hubs and innovation platforms to support long-term, sustainable economic collaboration.
2) Tourism, Education: Croatia is also a favoured tourist destination among Europeans, famous for its picturesque Adriatic coastline, heritage towns such as Dubrovnik, and rich cultural heritage. Indian tourists, who are more interested in European locations beyond the Schengen circuit, recognise Croatia as a budget-friendly and pictorial alternative.
Indian films have been shot in Croatia in recent times, raising cultural exposure and public interest. This has contributed to an increase in tourism exchanges and film shootings.
Educationally, Indian students have been accepted by Croatia in fields such as engineering, medicine, and the arts. India, through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), provides fellowships to Croatian students. Sanskrit is studied at the University of Zagreb, and yoga has spread widely, reflecting profound cultural connection and a shared fascination for civilisational knowledge systems.
Historical background
India has been present in Croatian consciousness for centuries and has long-standing historical connections dating back to the coming of Croatian missionaries. Interestingly, there have been reported contacts between the Principality of Dubrovnik and Goa, such as the building of the Church of Sao Braz in Goa, said to have been constructed by Croatians circa 1563. Among the most important early cultural contacts is Ivan Filip Vezdin, a Croatian scholar, who printed the first printed Sanskrit grammar in 1790. His achievement was remembered with a commemorative plaque that was unveiled in Trivandrum in 1999.
In contemporary times, India’s cultural presence remains vibrant in Croatia. The University of Zagreb has maintained a Department of Indology for more than six decades, with academic interactions on Indian languages, philosophy, and literature. Yoga and Ayurveda are extremely popular, and many cultural organisations focused on Indian spirituality and health have a sizeable presence in the country. These are organisations such as Yoga in Daily Life, the Art of Living Foundation, ISKCON, Bhakti Marga, and the Vedic Centre, most of which are initiated and supported by Croatian nationals, indicative of established and expanding people-to-people relations.
India was one of the first non-European nations to acknowledge Croatia after the latter declared itself independent from Yugoslavia in 1991. Since then, relations have progressively developed on a positive note, with an ethos of mutual respect and non-interference.
Over time, some significant events have influenced the bilateral path:
1) In 2019, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic came to India to attend the Raisina Dialogue and met with senior Indian leadership.
2) MoU between Lalit Kala Akademi and the Academy of Fine Arts to facilitate cooperation for the five-year cycle of 2023-28.
3) During the 2021 COVID-19 pandemic, India provided assistance to Croatia under the Vaccine Maitri program by providing necessary vaccines.
4) MoU on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia (2023).
5) Croatia has been a consistent friend of India in various United Nations forums, including the Human Rights Council.
6) The two nations have also exchanged several agreements related to cultural exchange, cooperation in the field of science and technology, and sports.
Strategic implications for Europe and India
The significance of Modi’s visit to Croatia also lies in its broader implications. As India recalibrates its Europe strategy, it is moving toward a more decentralised and multi-tiered approach. Rather than limiting its focus to Western European powerhouses, India is now reaching out to the newer and smaller EU members who often hold significant sway in policymaking due to the EU’s consensus-driven decision process.
Croatia’s generally pro-neutrality stance on major global confrontations and its willingness to cooperate on technology make it an important ally in this new matrix.
Concurrently, Europe itself is in transition. The conflict in Ukraine has affected traditional security alliances. India’s peace call and neutrality in global clashes have resonated in some Eastern European nations.
By fostering a relationship with Croatia, India is also trying to expand its influence in Central Europe. Croatia is bordered by some major European countries like Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Its position gives India access to new markets and budding industries of these regions.
Croatia’s minimal reliance on China and its suspicion towards the Belt and Road Initiative also render it a desirable partner as India seeks to present itself as a democratic choice for global investment, infrastructure, and digital collaborations.
The Civilisational Diplomacy
There is more cultural resonance between India and Croatia than meets the eye. Croatian academics have been studying Indian literature and spiritual writings for decades. Sanskrit and Indian philosophy are taught by Croatian students. Indian classical music and dance have an audience in Croatian universities and arts festivals.
The International Day of Yoga is commemorated across Croatia. In Zagreb, Rijeka, and Split, Indian cultural bodies organise regular yoga workshops, Ayurveda sessions, and language classes.
This combination of respect for civilisations and contemporary collaboration provides India with a considerable advantage in creating people-to-people connections. Not only is the interest of Croatia in India strategic but also cultural and intellectual.
Way Forward
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Croatia is expected to result in several significant agreements aimed at transforming bilateral relations into a more strategic and dynamic partnership. Both countries are likely to agree to expand annual foreign office consultations, ensuring regular diplomatic dialogue at the highest level.
A joint innovation and startup platform is anticipated to be developed, fostering collaboration in emerging technologies and entrepreneurship. Tourism and film collaboration is also anticipated to be fostered, leveraging Croatia’s natural beauty and India’s booming entertainment hub.
In the area of sustainability, both nations are anticipated to engage in capacity building in green technologies and renewable energy, reinforcing international climate objectives. Increased digital and cybersecurity collaboration is most likely going to be prioritised, mirroring the increasing prominence of safe digital infrastructure.
In addition, the two countries are set to promote parliamentary exchanges and hold cultural festivals to foster deeper understanding between them. If these efforts are properly realised, they could not only improve India-Croatia relations but also increase India’s interaction throughout Eastern Europe as a whole.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Croatia marks a new beginning in India’s engagement with the European continent. It breaks a long-standing absence of executive-level diplomacy between the two nations and places Croatia on India’s strategic radar for the years ahead.
As international alignments change and regional dynamics shift, these interactions ensure that Indian ascent is not only wide but also profound, based on confidence, mutual respect, and common values. The India-Croatia relationship is now set to enter a period of action, delivery, and transformation.
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