After PM Modi's Croatia Visit, Indian Firms Take On China's BRI In Mega Infra Projects: Report
PM Modi's Croatia visit led Indian firms to bid for major infrastructure projects, competing with Chinese rivals, including railway and highway projects worth 1.1 billion euros.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb last month, Plenkovic praised India's growing interest in maritime trade routes to the Mediterranean. Barely weeks later, two top Indian infrastructure firms are looking to outpace Chinese rivals by bidding for some of Croatia's biggest rail and road projects, according to a report by Bloomberg, who were among the first to report the developments.
PM Modi's visit has prompted growing interest from Indian firms eyeing big-ticket infrastructure projects in Croatia.
In the past week, a leading Indian engineering and construction heavyweight which is known for its work in marine infrastructure, metros, bridges and tunnels has placed three bids for key state-backed railway and highway projects in the EU's newest member, with a combined value of 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion).
Another Indian conglomerate, based in Nashik and known for its expertise in highway and transport EPC projects, is also competing for the same railway reconstruction contract.
New Delhi is a relatively new player in the Balkans, a region where Beijing has long had a strong presence through its Belt and Road infrastructure push. One of the most prominent Chinese-led projects is the 2.4-kilometre Peljesac Bridge, Croatia's largest sea bridge, built by a consortium headed by China Road and Bridge Corporation. Opened in 2022 and largely funded by the European Union, the bridge linked Croatia's coastal regions, bypassing a narrow stretch of Bosnian territory, and gave a significant boost to transport and tourism.
As part of the tender process, the Mumbai-based infrastructure player submitted the lowest bid for a major railway reconstruction project floated by HZ Infrastruktura, valued at around 620 million euros. The project, partly funded by the European Union, is among the largest rail ventures in Croatia's recent history.
In two other highway construction tenders in southern Croatia, the same firm is competing with a Chinese consortium, placing bids of 240.5 million euros and 214.4 million euros respectively.
A Nashik-based engineering and EPC major is also in the race for the railway project, signalling a stronger push by Indian firms into Croatia's infrastructure sector.
view comments
First Published:
July 22, 2025, 19:55 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
Meet Rudra Brigade and Bhairav Battalion: Indian Army's deadly battle units which will destroy Pakistan, China
Indian army- Representative AI image Indian army update: In a significant development for the Indian Armed Forces and a matter of bad news for China, the Indian Army has converted two of its infantry brigades into Rudra Brigades, both currently deployed along the border. It has been reported that although the validation of brigades is underway, the process has already began and it was accelerated after India's Operation Sindoor against the terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Notably, these brigades are part of a new structural reform in the Army. Why are Rudra brigades dangerous? As per the recent update, the Indian Army has converted two of its infantry brigades, which are deployed on the border, into Rudra brigades. Readers should note that these brigades include components such as infantry, mechanized infantry, tanks, artillery units, special forces and unmanned aerial systems. Update on Bhairav Light Commando Battalion Rudra Brigades are all-arms formations combining infantry, mechanized units, tanks, artillery, special forces, and unmanned aerial systems, with dedicated logistics and combat support. As per a statement by the Army Chief, a lethal Special Forces unit named Bhairav Light Commando Battalion has also been formed. Indian Army commemorates 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas In a significant update for the nation, the Indian Army marked the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas with solemn ceremonies and nationwide tributes to honour the valour of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil War. As per a report covered by ANI news agency, the central event was held at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, attended by Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and Sanjay Seth, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta, and Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi. Families of martyrs, gallantry awardees, and senior military officials also paid tribute to the 545 bravehearts. (With inputs from agencies)
India.com
28 minutes ago
- India.com
Anti-India Turkey to buy 40 deadly Eurofighter jets, Erdogan's Middle East plan threatens three of India's friends due to..., the countries are...
Eurofighter Typhoon (File) Turkey has inked a preliminary deal with Britain and Germany to acquire a fleet of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, triggering alarm bells amongst Ankara's rivals in the Middle East, including Israel, Greece, and Cyprus. According to media reports, Ankara has signed a $5.6 billion deal to acquire the Eurofighter Typhoon, a 4.5 generation ultra-modern fighter jet, jointly developed by Germany, Britain, Italy, and Spain. Why Turkey purchased Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to modernize the Turkish air force, and has made efforts to purchase F-35 fighter jets from its NATO ally, the United States. However, deal remains uncertain, primarily because of Israeli pressure and Ankara's decision to purchase the S-400 air defence system from Russia. Thus, Turkey has settled for the Eurofighter Typhoon, an advanced fighter jet in its own right, which is comparable to the French Dassault Rafale, and US' F-16 fighters. Meanwhile, Turkey move threatens the security of three of India's friends in the Middle East– Israel, Greece and Cypress. The trio have express outrage towards Germany and Britain for signing the deal with Ankara, claiming this will boost Erdogan's efforts to enforce Turkish hegemony in the volatile region. How Eurofighter Typhoon would bolster Turkey's air power? According to defense experts, the primary reason driving Turkey's purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon jets is the fear of an aerial attack by the Israeli Air Force, akin to what they did against Iran on June 12, which triggered the 12-day Israel-Iran war. The Eurofighter fleet would give a significant power boost to the Turkish, enabling them to counter any aerial threat from Israel or other rival nations like Greece or Cyprus. Many fear than Ankara may use it air power to bully fellow NATO member Greece, with whom it has a dispute over Cyprus and a maritime border dispute over the right to extract gas in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. However, Turkish officials say that Ankara has agreed to Germany's condition that the Eurofighter fleet will only be used under the general guidelines of NATO, which means Turkey cannot use the fighter jets against a fellow NATO member like Greece. Notably, the European Union (EU) wants a stronger Turkey to counter Russia if Moscow launches an attack on NATO countries. What's Israel's concern? Ankara's move has created an uproar in Israel with Leader of Opposition Yair Lapid attacking the Benjamin Netanyahu government for being unable to stop the deal. Lapid stated that Turkey has the largest and most powerful navy in the Middle East and now wants to match Israel in the air as well, which will endanger the security of the Jewish nation. Beyond the Eurofighter jet deal, Turkey is also working on an agreement with the US to procure 40 F-35 fighter jets. Additionally, the country is also working on the development of the indigenous 'Kaan' fifth-generation fighter jet.
The Hindu
28 minutes ago
- The Hindu
India issues advisory for citizens in Cambodia amidst border clashes
India on Saturday (July 26, 2025) advised its citizens in Cambodia to avoid travelling to border areas as the clash between Thailand and Cambodia over a disputed border entered its third day. The flare-up, which began on Thursday (July 24, 2025), has killed at least 32 people – 19 in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia – according to reports. 'In view of the ongoing clashes at the Cambodia-Thailand border, Indian nationals are advised to avoid travelling to the border areas,' the Indian embassy here said in an X post. Indian citizens have been urged to contact the mission in case of any emergency at +855 92881676 or email On Friday (July 25, 2025), India issued a similar advisory to its citizens in Thailand, asking them to exercise caution and avoid travelling to seven provinces of the country.
