Prime Minister Narendra Modi received an enthusiastic reception from the Indian community in Zagreb as he commenced his historic visit to Croatia on Wednesday. This marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country.
Zagreb is the final stop on PM Modi’s three-nation tour, which also included visits to Cyprus and Canada for Tuesday’s G7 Summit in Kananaskis.
As a special gesture, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic personally welcomed PM Modi at Franjo Tudman Airport with a ceremonial reception. PM Modi expressed his gratitude on X, stating, “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 Plenkovic for the special gesture of welcoming me at the airport.”
Prime Minister Plenkovic acknowledged the significance of the visit, noting, “We welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Zagreb! This is the first visit by the Prime Minister of India – the most populous country in the world, and it comes at an important geopolitical moment. We are starting a new chapter in Croatia-India relations and creating the conditions for strengthening bilateral cooperation in a number of areas.”
Members of the Indian diaspora, along with hundreds of locals, gathered to greet PM Modi as his motorcade drove through the city and upon his arrival at the hotel. Amidst chants of “Modi-Modi,” “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and “Vande Mataram,” PM Modi witnessed vibrant cultural performances and even joined a group of locals chanting Vedic shlokas, interacting with some attendees before entering the building.
Before his arrival, PM Modi highlighted the centuries-old cultural ties between the two nations, expressing his anticipation for meetings with President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. He also emphasized that the three-nation tour served as an opportunity to thank partner countries for their support in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism and to foster global understanding on combating terrorism in all its forms.
Analysts believe this landmark visit will significantly strengthen political and economic ties with Croatia. It’s expected to open new avenues for expanded bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, innovation, defense, ports, shipping, science and technology, cultural exchange, and workforce mobility.
India and Croatia already maintain close cooperation in trade, investment, defense, and agriculture, and collaborate in international forums. The bilateral trade stands at approximately USD 300 million, with Indian investments in Croatia at around USD 48 million.
PM Modi previously had brief interactions with Croatian PM Plenkovic at COP-26 in 2021 and during a virtual India-EU Leaders Meeting in the same year. Former Indian President Ramnath Kovind’s state visit to Croatia in March 2019 saw him conferred with Croatia’s highest civilian honor, “the Grand Order of the King of Tomislav.”
India’s presence in Croatia dates back centuries, with early Croatian visitors being missionaries and historical links found between the Principality of Dubrovnik and Goa, including the Church of Sao Braz reportedly built by Croatians around 1563.
The Indian community in Croatia has grown rapidly in recent years due to the increasing demand for foreign workers across various economic sectors. As of December 2024, approximately 17,000 Indians resided in Croatia, with about 90 percent being a mobile population working on short to medium-term contracts.