Modi's Balkan Masterstroke: How Bharat Redefined Europe's Power Map In Zagreb
The warm reception in Zagreb, as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković welcomed Modi as the leader of a resurgent global power, set the tone for the visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded his tour de force in Europe and across the pond, culminating in a historic visit to Zagreb. Via the visit, Modi has redrawn the geopolitical map, forging a powerful new era with a relationship with Croatia. The visit was a successful and powerful declaration of Bharat's arrival as a global rule-maker.
The warm reception in Zagreb, as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković welcomed Modi as the leader of a resurgent global power, set the tone for the visit. This was the crowning achievement of a historic tour that saw the Prime Minister command the world stage:
He reaffirmed deep civilisational bonds with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, securing an unequivocal ally in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He engaged in a frank and forthright discussion at the G7 summit in Canada, making it clear that the Global South would no longer be a silent spectator.
He held a pivotal meeting with the President of the European Council, where onlookers noted the palpable shift in dynamic—Europe was listening to India, not the other way around.
A Gateway to Europe's Core
Croatia's geographic position on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea offers India a vital maritime gateway to Central and Eastern Europe. The country's major ports—Rijeka, Split, and Ploce—are not peripheral outlets but integral components of the European Union's core Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
The key pronouncements highlight that Croatia is a 'critical link" in this new trade chain, serving as a distribution hub for goods destined for the heart of Europe. This alignment positions Croatia as a key partner in a powerful repudiation of China's creeping influence in the Balkan.
Beyond the steady growth in bilateral trade, which stood at a modest USD 337.68 million in 2023, the visit saw Modi extend a golden invitation to Croatian companies to participate in the revolutionary Sagarmala project. The initiative, focused on port modernisation and coastal development, opens vast opportunities for Croatian maritime expertise and technology, creating a synergistic relationship that links India's domestic infrastructure ambitions with Croatia's established strengths.
Strategic Partnership in Defence and Technology
In the defence and high-technology sectors, the bilateral talks have moved the India-Croatia relationship resolutely into the strategic domain. The decision to formulate a long-term Defence Cooperation Plan elevates the partnership beyond simple military exchanges.
The explicit focus on joint defence production and industry-level partnerships signifies a deep-seated trust and a shared vision for co-development, building upon the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed in 2023.
The strategic alignment extends to critical technology sectors that are central to India's future economic growth and national security. The leadership have identified specific new areas for enhanced cooperation, including pharmaceuticals, information technology, clean and digital technologies, renewable energy, and, most notably, semiconductors.
A standout announcement was the plan for India to share its space expertise with Croatia, marking a new frontier in bilateral cooperation. It reflects India's growing capabilities as a major space-faring nation and its willingness to collaborate with trusted partners on advanced technology. Such an initiative not only opens avenues for joint ventures but also cements a high-technology alliance that is forward-looking and strategically significant.
A Reliable Voice within European Institutions
As a full member of both the European Union and NATO, Croatia provides India with indirect access and a valuable, friendly voice within two of the world's most influential political and security blocs. This diplomatic leverage is particularly crucial for advancing India's interests on complex issues that require consensus-building, chief among them being the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
During the visit, Croatia reiterated its 'strong support for the early conclusion of the FTA." Croatia's consistent backing provides India with a reliable advocate in a forum where geopolitical and regulatory hurdles have often stalled negotiations. This support is rooted in a shared understanding of the mutual benefits the agreement would bring, which will help strengthen supply chain resilience for both India and the wider European Union.
Furthermore, Croatia has consistently backed India's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and, critically, maintained a non-interventionist stance on sensitive internal.
A Red Line Drawn on Global Terror
For too long, India has had to endure the sanctimonious lectures and hypocritical double standards of Western nations on the issue of terrorism. In Zagreb, Prime Minister Modi put an end to it again. Referencing the recent, horrific Pahalgam terrorist attack, he thanked Croatia for its unwavering and immediate solidarity—a stark contrast to the selective, mealy-mouthed condemnations that often emanated from other Western capitals.
He drew a clear red line that left no room for ambiguity. 'There are no 'good terrorists' and 'bad terrorists'," Modi declared. 'Terrorism is the sworn enemy of humanity. Any nation that provides safe havens, funding, or ideological justification to its perpetrators will find itself on the wrong side of history. Bharat will not tolerate it, and the world should not either."
It is a much-needed reality check for those who conveniently categorise terror to suit their geopolitical agendas. The message was clear: India's security is non-negotiable, and its friends are those who stand with it unequivocally in this fight.
The message from Zagreb is unambiguous, and it couldn't have come at a better time, especially as old alliances fray and global institutions falter. The days of a unipolar or bipolar world are ending soon. A new, confident, and unshakeable pole has risen, and its name is Bharat. The world would do well to listen.
About the Author
Sohil Sinha
Sohil Sinha is a Sub Editor at News18. He writes on foreign affairs, geopolitics along with domestic policy and infrastructure projects.
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First Published:
June 20, 2025, 11:47 IST
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