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Context:

The Indian Prime Minister visited Croatia to strengthen strategic, economic and cultural links between India and Europe.

About Croatia

It is located in Central and Southeast Europe, with a long coastline on the Adriatic Sea.

It is situated on the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula.

It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to the southeast. It also shares a maritime border with Italy across the Adriatic Sea.

The Dinaric Alps run through the central part of the country, creating a mountainous terrain.

The capital and largest city is Zagreb.

It is a member of the European Union and NATO.

History

Early Kingdom => The Kingdom of Croatia was established by the 10th century.

Union with Hungary and Habsburg Rule => In 1102, Croatia entered into a personal union with Hungary. Later, in the 16th century, facing the threat of Ottoman conquest, Croatia came under the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs

Yugoslavia => After World War I, in 1918, Croatia became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which was later renamed Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Croatia became a socialist republic within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Independence => Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991. This led to the Croatian War of Independence against Serbian-controlled forces of the Yugoslav People's Army, which lasted for four years.

International Recognition => Croatia gained full control over its territory by 2002.

About India-Croatia Relations

India was one of the first non-European nations to recognize Croatia's independence in 1992, establishing diplomatic relations the same year.

Croatia opened its embassy in New Delhi in 1995, followed by India's mission in Zagreb in 1996, which was upgraded to the ambassadorial level in 1998.

Croatia supports India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and maintains a non-interventionist stance on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. This diplomatic alignment makes Croatia a reliable partner for India within the European Union

Economic and Commercial Ties

Bilateral trade between India and Croatia reached USD 337.68 million in 2023. Key sectors include pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering, and hospitality.

Indian companies view Croatia as a strategic gateway to the EU market, with investments in pharmaceuticals, IT, and hospitality. An "India-Croatia Startup Bridge" was launched in 2021 to promote collaboration in areas like AI, green technology, and robotics.

India has invited Croatian companies to participate in its Sagarmala project for port modernization. This aligns with the potential for Croatian ports to become key entry points for Indian exports to Europe.

Strategic Significance

Geostrategic Location => Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia offers India a crucial gateway to Central and Eastern European markets. Its ports provide access to key European transport corridors.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) => Croatia is seen as a potential key player in the IMEC initiative, which aims to enhance trade connectivity between India and Europe. This could help diversify trade routes and reduce dependence on traditional chokepoints.

Defense Cooperation => A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation was signed in 2023. During the 2025 visit, both leaders agreed to create a long-term defense cooperation plan focusing on joint production, training, and military exchanges.

Alternative to China's BRI => Croatia's limited engagement with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) presents a strategic opportunity for India to offer a democratic and transparent alternative for infrastructure and technological development.

Source: 

INDIAN EXPRESS