Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand and heartfelt welcome in Zagreb, Croatia on Wednesday, marking a historic first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Balkan nation. His arrival was met with immense enthusiasm from both the Indian diaspora and Croatian locals, turning the occasion into a vibrant celebration of cultural unity.
As PM Modi arrived at his hotel, he was warmly greeted by spirited chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, performed by members of the Indian community. The welcome also included a colorful cultural performance showcasing traditional Indian dance forms, highlighting the deep-rooted Indian identity cherished abroad.
In a powerful display of Indo-Croatian cultural harmony, a group of Croatian citizens dressed in white joined PM Modi in chanting the ‘Gayatri Mantra’ and other Sanskrit verses. This rare moment, reflecting Croatia’s appreciation for Indian spiritual heritage, was shared on the Prime Minister’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
“The bonds of culture are strong and vibrant! Here is a part of the welcome in Zagreb. Happy to see Indian culture has so much respect in Croatia…”
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi), June 18, 2025
Watch the video
In a follow-up post, Prime Minister Modi shared a beautifully compiled two-minute video highlighting key moments from his welcome in Zagreb. The video captured the cultural richness and emotional warmth of the occasion.
“A welcome to remember in Zagreb, full of warmth and affection! Here are the highlights…”
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi), June 18, 2025
Watch the video
During his stay, PM Modi also interacted with members of the Indian community in Croatia, acknowledging their contribution to the nation’s growth and their continued connection to India.
“In Zagreb, I interacted with some members of the Indian community, who accorded me an unforgettable welcome. There is immense enthusiasm among the Indian community here about this visit and its impact in making the bond between our nations stronger than ever before!”
— PM Modi on X
In a special diplomatic gesture, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković personally received PM Modi at the airport, underscoring the importance Zagreb placed on the visit.
PM Modi’s arrival in Croatia comes after attending the G7 Summit in Canada, where he held talks with several world leaders. Before reaching Zagreb, he also visited Cyprus as part of his multi-nation diplomatic tour.
This historic visit is expected to boost bilateral ties between India and Croatia, deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, culture, education, and strategic affairs.
