Published on 06/18/2025

In his address, H. E. Narendra Modi, PM of India, invited his colleague Andrej Plenković, PM of Croatia, to visit India as soon as possible. Mr Modi mentioned several interesting facts dealing with centuries old history mutual relations between the two countries: the first printed sanskrit grammar in Europe was written by Filip Vezdin, a Croatian scholar, by the end of the 18th century (1798); the study of Sanskrit in Croatia was started at the University of Zagreb already in 1876; the modern day department of Indology at the University of Zagreb was started in 1959.

PM Modi invited PM Plenković of Croatia to pay a visit to India as soon as possible

H. E. Narendra Modi, PM of India, with his colleague Andrej Plenković, PM of Croatia,

on the Jelačić Square in the city of Zagreb on 18th of June 2025.

Speeches by H. E. Andrej Plekovic, PM of Croatia, and H. E. Narendra Modi, PM of India,

during the dinner organized in Zagreb on 18th of June 2025

In his address, H. E. Narendra Modi, PM of India, invited his coleague Andrej Plenković, PM of Croatia, to visit India as soon as possible. Mr Modi mentioned several interesting facts dealing with centuries old history mutual relations between the two countries:

the first printed sanskrit grammar in Europe was written by Filip Vezdin, a Croatian scholar, by the end of the 18th century (1798);
the study of Sanskrit in Croatia started at the University of Zagreb already in 1876;
the modern Department of Indology at the University of Zagreb was started in 1959., and it is continuosly supported by India.

Croatia, India sign key MoUs during PM Modi's visit to Zagreb

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on 18th of June 2025 welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the strong and respectful relations between the two nations, rooted in shared history and growing cooperation.

"...Today's meeting is an opportunity to show the importance and strength of relations between the two countries, friendly relations with a lot of mutual respect with significant historical ties," Plenković said during the bilateral talks.

He added, "Today we signed full memoranda in the area of cooperation in agriculture, multiannual cooperation in culture, in science and finally a memorandum between the Indian Council for Culture Relations and the University of Zagreb related to the study of Indology."

PM Modi thanks Croatian counterpart during historic first visit to Zagreb

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep gratitude to Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and the Croatian government for their warm welcome during his historic visit to the country Ă˘€” the first by any Indian Prime Minister.

"I express my heartfelt gratitude to Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković and the Croatian government for the enthusiasm, warmth and affection with which I have been welcomed on this historic and beautiful land of Zagreb," PM Modi said.

He added, "This is the first visit of any Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, and I have had the good fortune of it. India and Croatia are connected by common values like democracy, rule of law, pluralism and quality. It is a happy coincidence that last year the people of India have given me and the people of Croatia have given the opportunity to Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković to serve for the third consecutive time..."

Source: The Times of India

Croatia - India