Croatia eyes Indian market opportunities as Plenković meets Modi in New Delhi

(Photo: Vlada Republike Hrvatske)

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković began his official visit to India in New Delhi with talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on strengthening bilateral political, economic and trade relations, as well as discussing key global issues, the government said in a statement.

The meeting marks the second encounter between the two leaders in less than a year, following Modi’s visit to Croatia last June. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the upward trend in trade exchange, which grew by around 10 per cent last year, while noting there remains significant scope for further expansion.

“India is the most populous country in the world and therefore represents a major opportunity for the Croatian economy,” Plenković said.

A central reason for Plenković’s visit is participation in the AI Impact Summit, part of a series of global gatherings on artificial intelligence. The Croatian Prime Minister stressed that the aim of the summit is to promote inclusiveness and ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared widely.

He highlighted the rapid pace of technological progress, noting that each AI summit demonstrates significant advances. Croatia recently held a major session of its National Council for Digital Transformation, reviewing progress on its Digital Transformation Strategy to 2032.

Plenković underlined that Croatian IT companies have achieved notable global success, identifying niche markets and demonstrating strong innovation capacity. He emphasised the need for regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological developments, remarking that innovators often move faster than regulators.

The AI summit in India is the fourth in the series, following previous editions in the United Kingdom, South Korea and France, with Switzerland set to host next year’s event.

(Photo: Vlada Republike Hrvatske)

Croatia’s leading tech company Infobip, the country’s first ICT unicorn, is already present on the Indian market, further underlining opportunities for cooperation in the digital sector.

Talks also covered the broader framework of EU–India relations, particularly in light of the recently signed Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India. The agreement opens up additional opportunities for European companies seeking to strengthen their presence on the vast Indian market.

Plenković stressed that intensive dialogue between government and the private sector is essential to align state interests with business priorities and maximise the benefits of new trade frameworks.

Connectivity and logistics were high on the agenda. India’s strategic plan to establish an economic transport corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe is intended to terminate at northern Adriatic ports, including Rijeka, Koper and Trieste.

Plenković conveyed to Modi that Croatia is ready to play a key role in this corridor. Significant investments have been made in expanding the capacity of the Port of Rijeka, positioning it as a competitive logistics hub.

The presence of global shipping giant Maersk in Rijeka demonstrates the port’s growing capabilities. Plenković also announced a meeting with French logistics leader CMA CGM, one of the world’s top five shipping companies, which has shown interest in Rijeka.

“Croatia represents the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe – not only for Europe, but for the whole world,” Plenković said, highlighting the country’s strategic role, particularly in the year it chairs both the Three Seas Initiative and the EU MED-9 group.

(Photo: Vlada Republike Hrvatske)

The Prime Minister also addressed the growing presence of Indian workers in Croatia. Croatia currently has more than 1.7 million people in employment, with over 150,000 foreign workers accounting for around eight per cent of the total workforce. India is among the top five to seven countries of origin.

Indian workers contribute to Croatia’s economy and serve as a bridge between the two nations, further strengthening bilateral ties.

Discussions also covered the war in Ukraine. Plenković reaffirmed Croatia’s continued support and solidarity with Ukraine, noting that the government recently adopted a new assistance package, particularly in response to the energy crisis caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.

Croatia has donated specific energy-related equipment and technologies that can be immediately deployed in Ukraine.

While India’s approach to the conflict differs from that of European countries, Plenković acknowledged Modi’s clear commitment to peace efforts, noting that perspectives on the war can vary depending on geographic and political context.

Asked about his personal relationship with Modi, Plenković described it as correct and constructive, even friendly within the bounds of international diplomacy. He characterised Modi as an experienced leader with rational and pragmatic views on global issues.