Latest news with #ArunGoel
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Croatia endorsed India's approach, expressed solidarity on Pahalgam attack, says Indian Envoy
Zagreb [Croatia], June 18 (ANI): India's Ambassador to Croatia, Arun Goel, has said that Croatians expressed shock when the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack happened and expressed solidarity towards India. Noting that India offers multiple options to Croatia, he said that the visit by PM Modi would further strengthen the ties between the two nations. In an interview with ANI, Ambassador Goel said, 'Croatia itself experienced terrorism, fundamentalism and extremism. When the Pahaglam episode happened, we were shocked. I got messages from several Croatians on my phone. They expressed solidarity with us. India's measured and restrained response through Operation Sindoor was appreciated by all Croatians. If you talk to anybody on the street, you will find Croatians endorsing India's approach. They are solidly with India. They are a reliable support'. He said that this is the kind of support needed globally to counter terrorism. Speaking about the Indo-Pacific and how India is a great partner for Croatia across several fronts, the Ambassador said, 'In the Indo-Pacific, there are various other areas when we look at the whole region in terms of its prosperity. Currently, it's a scenario of a single choice. Single choice leads to fewer options and dependability. India is going to offer various options in different domains'. He listed the areas such as space-based applications, telecom, digital interfaces and infrastructure, and healthcare centres. Noting that in the current unstable times, Croatia is looking for new partners, India offers great incentives. 'The people of Croatia have long long-lasting relationship with the people of India in terms of experiencing, enjoying and loving Indian culture, Indian ethos, and Indian spiritualism. Whichever Croatian companies are working in India, they have had positive experience, and they are looking for expansion and vice versa. The Indian companies working in Croatia are also finding it positive. Indian migrant workers here are finding it positive. So I feel that whether on a person-to-person basis or organisation to organisation, there is a connectivity, and now this is going to take a big boost with the visit of the Prime Minister. In that context, India offers multiple choices beyond a single choice. That's how I look at the Indo-Pacific angle.' Speaking about the trade ties between the two countries, Ambassador Goel said, 'If we look at the current trade numbers between India and Croatia, although it growing year to year, as of today, the Croatian exports are 27 billion dollars and they are exporting to India just 70 million dollars which is 0.26%. Croatia is importing goods and services worth 47 billion dollars, and they are importing from India just 380 million dollars, which is 0.67%. The scope of growth in trade in both directions between India and Croatia is immense. Currently, India is the 4th largest economy in the world and will very soon be the third. That can be possible only if our exports increase manifold, in that the EU is crucial to us.' He noted that as the India-EU FTA is already under negotiations, and with Croatia as a member of the EU, Schengen Zone, 'this visit will help us find a partner through whom we'll be able to find a balanced and more favourable FTA with the EU'. At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, PM Modi will be making an official visit to Croatia on June 18. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relationship. (ANI)
Times of Oman
13 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Visit will help India find favourable FTA with EU: Envoy Goel on PM's visit to Croatia
Zagreb: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Croatia will play a crucial role in securing a favourable Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union as well as enhanced trade between India and Croatia, said Ambassador of India to Croatia, Arun Goel, on Tuesday. Speaking to ANI, ahead of the PM's first-ever visit to Croatia, Goel said the visit can be seen as a pivotal step in strengthening India's engagement with EU partners. Goel, noting the imbalance in bilateral trade between the two nations, stated that the scope of growth in trade in both directions was immense. "If we look at the current trade numbers between India and Croatia, it is growing year to year; as of today, Croatian exports are something like USD 27 billion, and they are exporting to India just USD 70 million, which is 0.26 per cent. Croatia is importing goods and services worth USD 47 billion, and they are importing from India just USD 380 million, which is 0.67 per cent. The scope of growth in trade in both directions between India and Croatia is immense," he said. Goel pointed out that as India, currently the fourth-largest economy globally, aims to become the third-largest, increasing exports to the EU is crucial. "Croatia has been a member of the EU since 2013 and a member of the Eurozone since 2023. So this visit will help us find a partner through whom we'll be able to find a more balanced and favourable FTA with the EU," he added. Goel highlighted the PM's visit, which includes bilateral discussions with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, a visit to the Homeland Memorial, and a walk to connect with the public, is expected to elevate the bilateral relationship. The Ambassador revealed that four agreements will be signed during the visit, covering agriculture and allied activities, science and technology, cultural exchange, and the extension of the Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb. "One is the agreement on agriculture and allied activities, wherein as many as 30 areas of cooperation have been identified. Then a programme of cooperation in science and technology is being signed where both countries in all the areas of science and technology will identify joint projects and joint research projects. Cultural exchange programme is being extended for five more years, and then the extension of the already ongoing Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb," he detailed, highlighting opportunities in emerging technologies, maritime research, and cultural heritage. Goel also underscored the significance of PM Modi's visit as a global leadership gesture, noting the enthusiasm among the Croatian diaspora. "There are 38 million Croatians in the country and about 4 million Croatians outside Croatia living in the US, Australia, Germany, and so on. They look at this first visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, not merely as a visit by India's Prime Minister, but a visit by a global leader because they consider Narendra Modi Ji, who in the present unstable times is considered by them as a pillar to bring about global peace," he said. Additionally, Goel highlighted specific sectors where India and Croatia are likely to deepen collaboration, particularly in the influx of Indian workers to Croatia. "Till about three years ago, we had less than 100 Indians in Croatia. In the last three years, because of the demographic complementarity, a number of Indian workers have come here. They are very happy to be here. They feel absolutely safe to be here. That's very important, and Croatians consider Indians as hard-working, skilled, reliable, peace-loving people who are adding to their economy," he noted, indicating a positive trend that is expected to grow as Croatia's economy expands. PM Modi will be visiting the European nation in the final leg of his three-nation tour at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, on June 18. This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, marking an important milestone in the bilateral relationship. Modi will hold bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Plenkovic and meet the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic. The visit to Croatia will also underscore India's commitment to further strengthening its engagement with partners in the European Union.
