INDIA CROATIA RELATIONS

Why in News?

• On June 18, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Zagreb, announced that India and Croatia will establish long-term plans for deepening defence partnership.
• This marks a significant step in bolstering bilateral ties across various sectors.

KEY OUTCOMES

• Defence Cooperation:
  • Commitment to formulate a long-term Defence Cooperation Plan.
  • Focus areas include defence production, joint training, military exchanges, and cybersecurity.
  • Aims to enhance collaboration between national defence industries.
• Economic & Investment Opportunities:
  • India will enhance investment in Croatia's critical industries: pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, clean technology, digital technology, renewable energy, and semiconductors.
  • Croatia invited to participate in India's Sagarmala project (port modernization, coastal zone development, multimodal connectivity), with emphasis on
  • Identified areas where economies can complement each other to boost bilateral trade and create reliable supply chains.
• Space Cooperation:
  • India and Croatia will jointly work on space ventures.
  • India committed to sharing its space expertise and experience with Croatia.
• People-to-People & Cultural Ties:
  • Academic institutes from both countries will undertake joint research projects.
  • A 5-year Cultural Exchange Programme (2026-2030) was finalized.
  • The MoU for the Hindi Chair at Zagreb University has been extended until 2030, appreciating the Indology department there.
  • A mobility agreement to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries will be signed "soon."
• International Issues & Cooperation:
  • PM Modi reiterated India's stance on resolving international conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, asserting that solutions cannot be found on battlefields.
  • India expressed appreciation for Croatia's solidarity following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, condemning terrorism as an enemy of humanity and democracy.
  • Croatia's support is deemed significant for strengthening India's strategic partnership with the European Union.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ENGAGEMENT

• Expanding European Outreach: PM Modi's visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, reflects India's expanding engagement with Europe beyond traditional Western partners, focusing on newer EU members like Croatia that influence EU decision-making.
• Shared Values: The partnership is rooted in shared values of democracy, rule of law, pluralism, and equality.
• Strengthening Bilateral Trade: The identified areas for cooperation are expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, which has shown consistent growth.
• Croatia's Strategic Importance:
  • Geostrategic Gateway: Croatia, located on the eastern Adriatic coast, serves as a maritime gateway to Central Europe and a potential hub in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
  • Alternative to Chinese Influence: Croatia's limited participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) positions it as a favorable partner for India in promoting a democratic, rules-based alternative in the Balkans.
  • Influence in EU and NATO: Croatia's full membership in both the EU and NATO provides India indirect access to European regulatory systems and policy debates, and support for India's EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

ABOUT CROATIA

• Geography: Southeastern Europe, northwestern Balkan Peninsula.
  • Borders: Slovenia (NW), Hungary (NE), Serbia (E), Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro (SE). Bounded by the Adriatic Sea (W), sharing a maritime border with Italy.
  • Terrain: Fertile, flat plains in the north; low mountains and highlands along the coast.
  • Mountain Ranges: Dinaric Alps, Velebit, Velika Kapela.
  • Climate:
  • Rivers: Drava, Krka, Sava.
  • Capital: Zagreb (largest city, administrative, cultural, industrial, economic, and transport hub).
  • Population:86 million (2023, World Bank).
• Political Status: Member of both the European Union and NATO.