PM Modi's First Ever Historic Visit to Croatia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made history as the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia on June 18, 2025. This historic journey is the last of his three-nation diplomatic tour, which also included a stop in Cyprus and a G7 Summit in Canada.

Modi's visit concludes a milestone three-nation tour to Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia. Despite being postponed in May due to Operation Sindoor, it resumed mid‑June, marking India’s diplomatic outreach into Southeast and Central Europe. Croatia was the final stop of Modi’s three-nation European tour (Cyprus, Canada, and Croatia), his first major foreign trip after Operation Sindoor. When PM Modi arrived at his hotel in Zagreb, the atmosphere turned festive. People from the Indian community, waving the tricolour, greeted him with patriotic slogans such as “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai.”

Why is Modi visiting Croatia?

PM Modi's trip aimed to historically deepen India-Croatia relations, focusing on trade, technology, education, tourism, and green energy ties. In order to increase connectivity, Prime Minister Modi emphasized Croatia's contribution to the India Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) by utilizing its Adriatic ports.He also emphasized shared values of peace and diplomacy, noting, “solutions to global problems cannot come from battlefields,” reaffirming multilateral cooperation.

PM Modi visited Croatia in June 2025 as part of a strategic three-nation Europe tour, Cyprus → Canada, → Croatia to bolster India’s global footprint and advance diplomacy.

Overall, the visit aimed to secure new bilateral agreements, strengthen EU engagement, and establish India as a proactive international partner.

What did PM Modi say?

PM Narendra Modi says, "I am happy that I got the opportunity to come to this beautiful city of Zagreb. Even though this visit is a small one, I got to experience the city's culture, people's lifestyle, and warmth".

"I felt at home. Today was an important milestone in our bilateral relations. We made many important decisions that will strengthen India-Croatia relations and open new avenues for working together in many areas."

In a post on the social media site X, PM Modi also expressed gratitude to Croatia. He said that" Grateful to the people and Government of Croatia for the warm welcome during what has been a truly landmark visit. This visit ushers in a new chapter in our shared journey of friendship and extensive cooperation".

What was discussed with the Croatian leadership?

Here are the key areas discussed during PM Modi’s delegation-level talks with Croatian leadership in Zagreb:

Peace & Diplomacy

Both Prime Ministers emphasized that “solutions to global problems cannot come from battlefields,” reaffirming their commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue and multilateral cooperation.

Trade & Investment

They explored avenues to boost bilateral trade, aligning with the ongoing EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in Defense manufacturing, solar cell production, automotive, and food processing.

Technology & Digital Collaboration

Plans included strengthening ties in digital technologies, IT, and R&D, as well as establishing Global Capability Centres, building upon earlier engagements.

Connectivity & IMEC

They discussed Croatia’s strategic role in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), leveraging its Adriatic ports (like Rijeka and Ploce) to enhance India’s access to European markets

Education, Healthcare, and Tourism

They also discussed collaboration in healthcare infrastructure, higher education exchanges, tourism, logistics, and joint cultural initiatives

Final Thoughts

PM Modi's historic trip to Croatia was an important step in India's growing involvement in the world. It not only strengthened the relationship between the two countries but also created new ways for them to work together in trade, technology, education, and connectivity. The visit set the stage for a partnership that looks to the future by bringing both countries together to promote peace, diplomacy, and sustainable development. Croatia is a good ally in Europe because it is in a good spot, and more people are becoming interested in India. This visit shows that India is serious about making relationships that are open to everyone, strategic, and important around the world.