PM receives reprint of 18th-century Sanskrit grammar from Croatian counterpart
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a significant cultural gift from his Croatian counterpart, Andrej Plenkovic - a reprint of the first printed Sanskrit grammar written in Latin in 1790. The work, by Croatian scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin during his stay in India, was presented to PM Modi during his visit to Croatia, marking the first-ever trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the country.advertisementPM Modi arrived in Zagreb from Canada, after attending the G7 Summit, on the final leg of his three-nation tour, which also included his visit in Cyprus earlier. His arrival in Croatia is seen as a landmark step in strengthening Indo-Croatian relations.
Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic took to social media to highlight the historical and symbolic importance of the gift given to PM Modi. He noted that Vezdin had written the grammar based on the knowledge he acquired from Kerala Brahmins and local Indian manuscripts. Plenkovic called the reprint "a symbol of the early cultural ties between Croatia and India." He added that Vezdin was among the first European scholars to deeply engage with Indian languages and culture.
advertisement
Welcoming PM Modi to Zagreb, Plenkovic said in another post that the Indian leader's visit came at a crucial geopolitical moment and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the political and economic cooperation of the two countries. He added that India was one of Croatia's key Asian trading partners, with bilateral trade amounting to USD 242 million last year.Trade figures in the first quarter of 2025 had already shown a 10 percent increase, he added, and noted the growing number of Indian tourists visiting Croatia.
Both countries signed agreements aimed at boosting collaboration in agriculture, science and technology, culture, and university partnerships. Plenkovic said Croatia was keen to strengthen ties in sectors such as ICT, pharmaceuticals and maritime transport. He also showcased Croatia's strategic importance as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe.The leaders also held detailed discussions on the ongoing situation in the Middle East and broader global security challenges. Emphasising the need for stronger India-EU relations, Plenkovic reiterated the importance of collective efforts on the global stage.
As part of the ceremonial exchange, PM Modi was presented with the book "Croatia & India, Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business", written by Croatian diplomat Dr Sinisa Grgic. The book offers a comparative overview of the two nations and highlights their diplomatic and business engagements. Plenkovic said that the book symbolised the achievements of both countries and expressed hope that it would further inspire cooperation and deepen bilateral ties.In response, PM Modi thanked the Croatian Prime Minister for the warm gesture and hospitality. In a post on X, he expressed gratitude for being shown around the historically and culturally rich city centre of Zagreb. He added that his talks with Plenkovic were highly productive, covering a wide range of sectors to reinforce the India-Croatia bond.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that both countries would work closely in areas such as defence and security, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, renewable energy and advanced technologies. He also pointed out future cooperation opportunities in shipbuilding, semiconductors and connectivity.Plenkovic, in his post on X, also extended his condolences to the Indian people and the families affected by the tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad.Must Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
16 minutes ago
- Mint
With schemes and sops, India is powering up its ship engines
The monster shipyards of China, Korea and Japan have dominated the world's shipmaking for long. Now, India wants to muscle in. A series of measures to build, repair and finance ships in India are likely this year, two people aware of the plans said, as the country aims to become a global maritime hub. The government is working on nearly a dozen mission-mode measures to fire up the local shipping industry, including a maritime development fund, a revamped shipbuilding assistance scheme, and policies to strengthen domestic ships and ports, the people said on the condition of anonymity. Apart from shipbuilding, repairs and recycling, the new schemes will also cover financing, insurance, technical management, staffing-crewing and manning, and arbitration. 'The idea is to plug every critical gap in the value chain so that India is not just building ships, but also financing, insuring, managing, and resolving disputes, essentially offering end-to-end maritime solutions," one of the two people cited above said. Chinese dominance Japan, South Korea, and China jointly command 90% of global shipbuilding, with China alone accounting for nearly 50% of all new vessel orders. The Chinese dominance has alarmed the US, with president Donald Trump slapping port fees on Chinese-built ships and proposing tax sops for US-made vessels, terming it crucial for security, prosperity, and jobs. Also read | India plans its own shipping fleet; wants to provide assured demand for ships built in the country from state-run firms India is also courting shipbuilders and financiers from Korea and Japan to set up shop in India, the second person added. The goal is to get these companies to support and form Indian joint ventures offering leasing and financing options, with an aim to ensure ships built in India find buyers at home and abroad. India has also urged some of these companies to offer shipping finance in India, replicating the model in their home country, the people cited above said. Foreign tie-ups 'Korean and Japanese shipbuilders are in talks with Indian counterparts to form JVs. Cochin Shipyard, for instance, is exploring a partnership with Korean firms for shipbuilding in Kerala," the second person added. A shipping ministry spokesperson didn't respond to emailed queries. "With less than 1% share in the global shipbuilding market, India is launching a multi-pronged maritime strategy to break into the world's top 10 by 2030 and top five by 2047," the first person mentioned above said. "Alongside mega shipbuilding parks, the government will roll out missions for ship repair, recycling, financing, insurance, cruise infrastructure, and arbitration—all aimed at building a full-service maritime ecosystem," the first person said. Read this | Shipping industry likely to get ₹25,000-crore boost To be sure, recent MoUs signed during Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal's Norway visit reflect growing international interest. Private power Private shipbuilders are also joining in. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers has signed deals with Germany's Carsten Rehder to make hybrid 7,500 deadweight tonnage (DWT) vessels, UAE's Aries Marine for offshore platforms, and a global engine manufacturer. Larsen & Toubro has also partnered with Norway's DNV to collaborate on shipbuilding and port infrastructure. "The recent developments are part of a larger push under India's new shipbuilding mission," the second person said. 'We are not just building ships; we are building the entire ecosystem. Alongside mega shipbuilding parks on both coasts, we are launching parallel missions for financing, insurance, staffing, and more to anchor India's maritime ambitions," the person added. In September, Mint reported on India's ambitious shipbuilding push, aiming to tap into a global market where traditional giants such as China, Korea and Japan, are overbooked, prompting buyers to seek alternative production hubs for modern vessels. Also read | For India's shipping industry, a new rule promises to be a game-changer "While we are seeing progress, the global market is still dominated by China, South Korea, and Japan. To bridge that gap, what is needed now is a clear push for foreign investment and technology transfer," Pushpank Kaushik, chief executive officer and head of business development (subcontinent, middle east and southeast Asia) at Jassper Shipping. "If policy can make space for that, it will not only attract global players but also strengthen our position in the international market. This would be a strong complement to the government's vision and help put India on the global shipbuilding map," Kaushik added. Maritime fund Existing initiatives to boost shipping include a ₹25,000 crore maritime development fund to raise investment in shipbuilding through blended finance and the development of mega shipbuilding parks on both coasts. The new complementary missions will cover ship repair, recycling, cruise infrastructure, financing, staffing, and insurance. Ship repair hubs are also being planned in Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Vadinar, besides a centre of excellence and free trade depot for duty-free imports. India has also launched the Indian International Maritime Dispute Resolution Centre (IIMDRC) to localize arbitration and reduce reliance on global hubs like Singapore and Dubai. And read | Govt to hold talks with exporters as Iran-Israel conflict stalls shipments, drives up costs Meanwhile, a domestic maritime insurance entity, the India Club, is under consideration to offer protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance for coastal and inland shipping. Mega ports at Vadhavan in Maharashtra and Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar are also central to the plan, aiming to boost port capacity, attract transhipment cargo, and create over 1.2 million jobs.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Karn emerges costliest player, roped in by Noida for Rs 17.5L
Lucknow: Indian legbreak googly bowler became the highest paid player in the mini auction of UPT20 league when he was picked by Noida Kings for Rs 17.5 lakh on Wednesday. His base price was Rs 5 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Six franchises participated in the first mini auction of players for the third edition of UPT20 league. In all, 210 players were registered from UP. The players included those who play for Railways but have domicile in UP. For this, Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) had asked for permission from BCCI to allow inclusion of Railways players who were outside the competitive cricket for 12 months and whose domicile was from UP. Total 10 players from Railways, out of 45, were picked by the franchises through open bid auction. Six teams in aggregate will pay around Rs 2.8 crore to these players. Right arm medium pacer Kartik Tyagi, whose base price was Rs 5 lakh became the second highest-paid player after he was roped in by Meerut Mavericks for Rs 16.25 lakh. Upendra Yadav from Railways became the third highest-paid player who was taken in by Kashi Rudras for Rs 13.5 lakh. Right hand batter Shivam Chaudhary from Railways was roped by Noida Kings for Rs 10.75 lakh. Uvais Ahmad (25), who had batted brilliantly for Meerut Mavericks in the inaugural season, was picked by the same team for Rs 20 lakh against the base price of Rs 2.5 lakh. Besides, batter and wicketkeeper Shoaib Siddique was roped in by Lucknow Flacons for Rs 10 lakh. "The UPT20 League has evolved into a premier platform for showcasing domestic cricketing talent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With Season 3, we are witnessing unprecedented enthusiasm from players and franchises alike. The auction is not just a selection process — it's a celebration of opportunity, aspiration, and the future of Uttar Pradesh cricket. I am confident this season will set new benchmarks in professionalism, talent discovery, and fan engagement," said BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla. Chairman, Governing Council of UPT20 league, Devendra Chauhan said, "In the third edition of UP T20 League, we have introduced a new feature that players who are domiciled in Uttar Pradesh and play in the Ranji Trophy for the Railways have been included. There are about 11-12 such players whose domicile is in UP, and they have been permitted by the BCCI. As a result, there was intense bidding which will enhance competition, create rivalry, and generate attraction for UP. " "Players selected through talent hunts conducted by the franchises in various districts and camps were given Rs 1.5 lakh in the last season. Their remuneration has been increased to Rs 2 lakh as these players do not get opportunities elsewhere," he said.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
AI sacked us for reporting Dreamliner door glitch: 2 ex-staffers in letter to PM
Mumbai: Two senior Air India flight attendants have written to PM Modi, claiming they were terminated from service by the airline after they refused to change their statement about a technical problem with a Boeing 787 door last year. They alleged the Dreamliner's door had malfunctioned as the slide raft deployed, though the door was opened in the "manual mode". Slide rafts deploy when a door is opened in "armed" or "automatic mode". The incident, they claimed, occurred on May 14, 2024, after the Mumbai-London B787 (VT-ANQ) operating flight AI-129 docked at Heathrow and the passengers disembarked. The incident, they say, was initially corroborated in writing by the pilot and cabin-in-charge. "However, to our utter shock and surprise when we told (the AI management) the truth that the door was in manual position when opened, we were threatened with termination," the letter alleged on Wednesday. tnn The former senior AI flight attendants wrote to the PM that after refusing to revise their statements on the malfunctioning Dreamliner door, they were served show-cause notices and dismissed within 48 hours—exactly one year before the June 12 Ahmedabad crash which killed 272 people. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트, 지금 시작하세요 [자세히 보기] 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo "We refused to change our statements despite considerable pressure exerted on us by higher authorities," the letter alleged, naming three officials. "However later the commander changed his statement by stating that he was not looking when the door was opened," it alleged. At Heathrow, AI crew disembark from a different door. Accordingly, the pilots and crew gathered at door L4 last year in May. The two flight attendants, responsible for door opening, carried out the checklist to confirm it was in the manual position, said the letter. But the slide raft deployed when the door was opened. The letter alleges Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suppressed the May 14, 2024, incident and other similar occurrences involving Dreamliners. The crew claim DGCA launched only an "informal inquiry" despite the gravity of safety issues raised, and no report has been shared since. They also allege key witnesses present during the slide deployment incident were deliberately excluded from the probe. Both crew members have served Air India for over two decades. Their complaint was filed with Central Vigilance Commission last year.
