India–Croatia Relations

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Croatia on June 18, 2025, marks the first official visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country since diplomatic ties were established in 1992. This historic outreach underlines Croatia’s growing strategic, economic, and cultural relevance in India’s evolving European policy.

India–Croatia Engagement: Key Dimensions

• Adriatic Maritime Gateway:
  • Croatia’s coastline along the Adriatic Sea (ports of Rijeka, Split, Plo?e) provides India with alternative maritime access to Europe amidst disruptions in the Suez and Red Sea corridors.
  • These ports form part of the EU’s TEN-T core transport network, vital for integrating India's logistics and trade under initiatives like IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor).
• Gateway to Central & Eastern Europe:
  • Croatia's proximity to key European markets (Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Serbia) enhances India’s logistical outreach to non-traditional European destinations.

• EU & NATO Membership:
• Croatia, being a member of both the European Union and NATO, serves as a diplomatic bridge for India to indirectly access decision-making platforms and influence policy dynamics within these blocs.
• Useful for progress on stalled India-EU FTA negotiations.
• Multilateral Support:
  • Croatia supports India’s permanent UNSC membership and aligns with India on sensitive issues (e.g., Jammu and Kashmir).
  • Demonstrates diplomatic predictability and partnership in multilateral forums.

• Structured Defence Ties:
  • Expansion of the 2023 MoU on Defence Cooperation to include:
  • Defence production partnerships
  • Training and joint military exchanges
  • Industrial co-development and technology transfers
• Counter-Terrorism Solidarity:
  • Croatia’s public condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack illustrates convergence on global counter-terrorism norms.

• Trade Overview:
  • Bilateral trade stands at USD 337.68 million (2023); key sectors include pharmaceuticals, IT, and engineering.
  • Croatian ports offer EU entry points for Indian exports.
• Institutional Mechanisms:
  • India-Croatia Economic Cooperation Agreement (2017)
  • BIPA (2001)
  • India-Croatia Startup Bridge (2021) — fostering collaboration in AI, green tech, and robotics
• Investment Partnerships:
  • Indian commitment to invest in Croatian sectors like clean technology, agriculture, semiconductors, and maritime logistics (linked to Sagarmala Project).

• Space Diplomacy:
  • India to extend space expertise and potentially partner in joint missions or tech transfer, marking a new domain in strategic cooperation.
• Digital & Clean Tech Emphasis:
  • Croatia identified as a preferred partner in areas of green energy, AI, and digital infrastructure.

• Academic Linkages:
  • Joint research between Indian institutions and Zagreb University, which hosts a reputed Indology department.
  • Acknowledges over 60 years of Croatian engagement with Sanskrit and Indian philosophy.
• Mobility and Tourism:
  • Upcoming India-Croatia Mobility Agreement to enhance ease of movement, tourism, and educational exchanges.
• Cultural Roadmap:
  • A five-year cultural exchange plan to deepen people-to-people ties, yoga and Ayurveda already popular in Croatian society.

Comprehensive Analysis & Way Forward

• Strategic Rebalancing of European Diplomacy: India’s outreach to Croatia signifies a shift from Western-centric to pan-European diplomacy, engaging emerging EU members with decisive voices in consensus-driven institutions.
• Reducing China's Influence: Croatia’s limited engagement with China’s BRI presents a strategic opening for India to offer a democratic alternative through infrastructure and technological collaboration.
• Expanding IMEC’s Realization: Croatia can play a pivotal role in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, enabling smoother trade diversification, enhancing maritime security partnerships, and reducing dependency on conflict-prone chokepoints.
• Need for Institutional Continuity: India must ensure annual Foreign Office Consultations, implementation monitoring of signed MOUs, and formation of a Joint Commission to deepen sectoral cooperation and resolve policy bottlenecks.