Context

India and Croatia have agreed to chart a long-term strategic roadmap to deepen bilateral defence and security cooperation, marking a significant step in India’s outreach to emerging European partners.

Key Highlights of the Engagement

1. Defence and Security Cooperation

• Both nations agreed to formulate a long-term Defence Cooperation Plan focused on:
  • Joint military training
  • Personnel exchange programmes
  • Cybersecurity collaboration
  • Defence industry partnerships and co-production initiatives

2. Bilateral Agreements Signed

• MoUs were exchanged in several domains:
  • Agriculture
  • Science and Technology
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Establishment of an ICCR Chair of Hindi Studies at the University of Zagreb

3. Economic and Investment Cooperation

• Discussions included boosting investments in Croatia’s key sectors:
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Agriculture and food processing
  • Digital and clean technology
  • Information technology and semiconductors

4. Support for India–EU FTA

• Croatia reaffirmed its strong backing for the early conclusion of the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

5. Academic and Cultural Linkages

• Both sides agreed on joint academic research projects and finalized a five-year cultural exchange program, deepening institutional and people-to-people ties.

6. Enhanced Mobility and Connectivity

• A Mobility Agreement is set to be signed soon to facilitate:
  • Easier movement of students, professionals, and tourists
  • Strengthened educational, tourism, and business exchanges

7. Space and Scientific Collaboration

• Croatia will partner with India in space research, leveraging India’s growing expertise.
  • Joint projects will focus on technology transfer and capacity building in the space sector.

Strategic Significance

1. Broadening India's European Outreach

• Prime Minister Modi’s engagement signals India’s strategy of engaging non-traditional European partners.
  • Croatia, a relatively new EU member, holds influence in the EU’s consensus-based policy-making.

2. Croatia's Strategic Value to India

• Croatia’s neutral foreign policy, low dependence on China, and skepticism towards the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) align with India’s principles of democratic, rules-based development.

3. Gateway to Central and Eastern Europe

• Croatia’s geographical location—bordering Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia—makes it a strategic access point to Central European markets.
  • Enhancing ties with Croatia boosts India’s economic and diplomatic footprint in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

Conclusion

India–Croatia relations are evolving into a multifaceted partnership, rooted in mutual trust and shared democratic values. The new roadmap for defence, economic, technological, and cultural cooperation reflects India’s growing strategic focus on emerging European partners. The partnership not only enhances bilateral synergy but also strengthens India’s broader engagement with the EU and Central European region.