Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Croatia on Wednesday to a warm and enthusiastic reception led by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia, was received personally by Plenkovic at Franjo Tudman Airport in Zagreb.
A welcome to remember in Zagreb, full of warmth and affection! Here are the highlights… pic.twitter.com/PVSdiVAekO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2025
As his motorcade passed through the city, large crowds of Indian expatriates lined the route, eager to catch a glimpse of the Indian leader. Upon his arrival at the hotel, he was welcomed by a vibrant gathering of hundreds of well-wishers, including members of the Indian diaspora. In a unique cultural gesture, a group of white-clad Croatian citizens recited the Gayatri Mantra as Modi arrived. A video showing the Prime Minister joining in the Sanskrit chanting was later shared on his official X handle.
Povezanosti kulture su snažne i vibrantne! Ovo je dio dočeka u Zagrebu. Sretan sam vidjeti kako Indijska kultura ima toliko poštovanja u Hrvatskoj… pic.twitter.com/VeevHw0Y6V
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2025
The Indian community in Croatia marked the occasion with traditional slogans such as “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, along with a cultural performance featuring classical Indian dance. Officials noted that the Indian diaspora in Croatia has made notable contributions to the country’s progress, while continuing to maintain strong cultural and emotional ties with India.
Government sources stated that cultural ties between India and Croatia remain robust and lively, underscoring the resonance of Indian heritage abroad. The Prime Minister’s social media post described the enthusiastic welcome in Zagreb and reflected his appreciation for the respect accorded to Indian culture in Croatia.
Modi’s visit marks a significant step in deepening India’s political and economic engagement with Croatia. It is seen as a key opportunity to enhance cooperation in diverse sectors, including trade, defence, innovation, shipping, science and technology, labour mobility and cultural exchange.
India and Croatia already share a strong bilateral relationship, with collaborative initiatives in trade, agriculture, defence, and international forums. People-to-people ties are further strengthened through cultural exchanges and educational partnerships. Bilateral trade currently stands at approximately US$ 300 million, with Indian investments in Croatia estimated at around US$ 48 million.
Held productive talks with my friend, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Zagreb. Our talks covered many sectors, aimed at making the India-Croatia bond even stronger. We will be working closely in the fields of defence and security, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, renewable… pic.twitter.com/fOZLigslkO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 18, 2025
Croatia was the final destination on Prime Minister Modi’s three-nation tour, which included a stop in Cyprus before proceeding to Canada for the G7 summit in Kananaskis on Tuesday.
In Canada, Modi attended the summit and held discussions with several global leaders. He concluded the multi-nation visit by holding bilateral talks with senior Croatian officials, focusing on strengthening strategic cooperation across multiple domains.
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