PM Modi’s Croatia Visit: 4 MoUs Signed

During his historic first-ever official visit to Croatia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following high-level visits to Canada and Cyprus, held wide-ranging delegation-level talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković at Banski Dvori in Zagreb. The leaders underscored their shared commitment to global peace, democratic values, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, with Mr. Modi reiterating, “Whether in Europe or Asia, solutions cannot be found on the battlefield; dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths forward.” They also condemned terrorism as the enemy of humanity, with Modi expressing heartfelt gratitude for Croatia’s solidarity following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, calling the support “a reflection of deep mutual trust and friendship.”

A central theme of the talks was the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Croatia reiterated its strong support for the early conclusion of the FTA, highlighting its potential to boost bilateral trade and enhance supply chain resilience. This support was appreciated by India, which welcomed Croatia’s consistent backing within the broader EU framework.

To further deepen cooperation, both countries signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):

• Agriculture and Allied Sectors — to promote exchange and collaboration;

• Cultural Exchange Programme (2026–2030) — fostering people-to-people connections;

• Science & Technology Cooperation (2025–2029) — for collaborative research and innovation;

• Establishment of a Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb, symbolizing cultural diplomacy and soft power.

Strategic collaboration was also a key outcome.

The leaders agreed to formulate a long-term Defence Cooperation Plan involving joint training, military exchanges, and industry-level partnerships. In addition, they identified new areas for enhanced cooperation in Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Information Technology, Clean and Digital Technologies, Renewable Energy, Semiconductors, and highlighted rising collaboration in shipbuilding, cybersecurity, and defence.

Prime Minister Modi also noted with appreciation the growing popularity of Yoga in Croatia, tying it to the upcoming International Yoga Day on 21 June, and expressed confidence that Croatians would celebrate the occasion with great enthusiasm—a reflection of deepening cultural bonds.

Overall, this visit marks a significant elevation in India–Croatia relations, reinforcing mutual commitment to trade, peace, culture, technology, and security. It lays the groundwork for future strategic collaboration in line with shared democratic values and global aspirations.