PM Modi's historic visit to Croatia: Why Croatia matters for India

India Today

5 hours ago

This historic visit, part of Modi's broader diplomatic tour including Cyprus and Canada, underscores Croatia's growing importance in India's European strategy and highlights the deep civilisational connections between the two nations. Croatia's significance to India extends far beyond its modest size, encompassing strategic geographic positioning, political influence, and cultural resonance that makes it a vital partner in India's evolving European engagement.advertisementStrategic geographic gateway
Croatia's location on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea positions it as a crucial maritime gateway to Europe. The country's major ports—Rijeka, Split, and Ploce—are integral components of the European Union's core TEN-T network, supporting trans-European transport infrastructure. For India, these ports represent vital nodes for European exports, particularly as international logistics routes undergo reshaping in the post-COVID era and amid ongoing disruptions in the Suez and Red Sea corridors.Croatia's strategic importance becomes even more pronounced in the context of India's ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative. The country serves as a critical link in this new trade chain, particularly for distribution to Central and Eastern Europe, offering India an alternative route to traditional Western European gateways.Political influence within EU and NATOAs a full member of both the European Union and NATO, Croatia wields considerable political authority and provides India with indirect access to European regulatory systems and policy debates. This dual membership is particularly valuable for India's ongoing negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has faced delays due to regulatory and geopolitical challenges.advertisementCroatia's position within these institutions offers India a diplomatic ally that can advocate for Indian interests within European decision-making processes, providing a level of influence that extends far beyond the country's size.Reliable multilateral partnerCroatia has consistently supported India's positions on international forums, backing India's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and maintaining a non-interventionist stance on sensitive issues like Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike larger EU countries that sometimes adopt more complex diplomatic positions, Croatia has proven to be a reliable and predictable diplomatic partner for India.Economic gateway and growing trade relationsDespite Croatia's relatively small market size, Indian companies view it as a strategic gateway to the European Union, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, information technology, and engineering. Bilateral trade, while modest at USD 337.68 million in 2023, demonstrates steady growth and potential for expansion.The institutional framework supporting this economic relationship includes the India-Croatia Agreement on Economic Cooperation (2017), the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement (2001), and various sector-specific agreements. The India-Croatia Startup Bridge, initiated in 2021, has fostered entrepreneurial cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, green technology, and robotics.What Modi accomplished in CroatiaPrime Minister Modi's visit to Zagreb resulted in several significant commitments and agreements that are set to transform the bilateral relationship into a more strategic and dynamic partnership.Defence cooperation frameworkadvertisementOne of the most significant outcomes was the announcement of long-term plans for deepening defence partnership. Modi emphasised that this cooperation would focus on defence production alongside training and military exchanges, building upon the existing Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed between the two countries in 2023.The Prime Minister highlighted areas where the two economies can supplement each other's capacities, suggesting a comprehensive approach to defence collaboration that goes beyond traditional military cooperation to include industrial partnerships and technology sharing.Investment and industrial collaborationModi announced India's commitment to enhance investment in Croatia's critical industries, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, information technology, clean technology, digital technology, and semiconductors. This comprehensive investment strategy demonstrates India's recognition of Croatia as a key partner in technological advancement and sustainable development.Particularly significant was Modi's invitation for Croatian companies to participate in India's Sagarmala project, which focusses on port modernisation, coastal zone development, and multimodal connectivity. This initiative opens vast opportunities for Croatian maritime expertise and technology, leveraging the country's strong maritime heritage and capabilities.Space cooperation initiativeThe Prime Minister announced that India would share its space expertise with Croatia, marking a new frontier in bilateral cooperation. This collaboration reflects India's growing capabilities in space technology and its willingness to share expertise with strategic partners, potentially opening avenues for joint space ventures and technology transfer.advertisementAcademic and cultural exchangesBuilding on the existing cultural connections, Modi announced that academic institutes from both countries would carry out joint research projects. He specifically appreciated the Indology department at Zagreb University, acknowledging the deep academic interest in Indian studies that has existed in Croatia for over six decades.The two sides finalised a five-year plan for cultural exchange programs, institutionalising the people-to-people connections that have historically linked the two nations. This cultural framework builds upon Croatia's long-standing engagement with Indian philosophy, with Sanskrit studies at the University of Zagreb and widespread adoption of yoga and Ayurveda practices amongst Croatian citizens.Enhanced mobility and diplomatic engagementModi announced that India and Croatia would "soon" sign a mobility agreement to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries. This agreement is expected to boost tourism, educational exchanges, and business cooperation, making it easier for citizens of both nations to engage in various collaborative activities.The visit also established a framework for expanded annual foreign office consultations, ensuring regular diplomatic dialogue at the highest level and institutionalising the diplomatic momentum generated by this historic visit.advertisementCounter-terrorism solidarityThe Prime Minister expressed gratitude for Croatia's support following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, emphasising shared values in combating terrorism. This solidarity demonstrates Croatia's reliability as a partner willing to stand with India during challenging times and reinforces the democratic values that bind the two nations.Looking ahead: Strategic implicationsModi's visit to Croatia represents more than bilateral engagement; it signals India's evolving European strategy that moves beyond traditional Western European partnerships to embrace newer EU members who often hold significant influence in the bloc's consensus-driven decision-making processes.Croatia's generally neutral stance on major global confrontations and its willingness to cooperate on technology make it an important ally in India's diversified European approach. The country's minimal reliance on China and scepticism toward the Belt and Road Initiative position it as an ideal partner for India's alternative vision of democratic cooperation and sustainable development.The agreements and commitments made during this visit have the potential to not only transform India-Croatia relations but also enhance India's overall engagement with Eastern Europe. As Croatia shares borders with major European countries including Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, strengthening ties with Zagreb provides India with enhanced access to Central European markets and emerging industries.Prime Minister Modi's historic visit to Croatia thus marks the beginning of a new chapter in India's European engagement, one characterised by deeper strategic partnerships, enhanced economic cooperation, and strengthened people-to-people connections. The visit demonstrates that in an increasingly multipolar world, meaningful partnerships can transcend size and geography, rooted instead in shared values, mutual respect, and complementary capabilities.Must Watch