India-Croatia Relations Explained

India-Croatia relations are the bilateral ties between the Republic of India and the Republic of Croatia, a growing partnership that began after Croatia’s independence in the early 1990s and has expanded through the European Union, shipbuilding and maritime links, tourism, information technology, pharmaceuticals and people-to-people contact. The relationship reached a landmark in June 2025, when Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Croatia, according to official and media reports.

Although Croatia is a small country of under four million people, it is a member of the European Union, the euro area and the Schengen area, which makes it a useful gateway to the European market for Indian businesses and travellers. This explainer covers the history of India-Croatia relations, the sectors that matter most, the context of the first prime ministerial visit and the challenges ahead. It was last reviewed on 17 October 2026.

Key Takeaways

• India recognised Croatia after its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, and the two countries established diplomatic relations in the early 1990s.
• Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Croatia in June 2025, and the visit focused on trade, technology, defence, culture and connectivity.
• Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 and the euro and Schengen areas in 2023, which makes it relevant to India’s trade and mobility interests in Europe.
• Shipbuilding, tourism, information technology and pharmaceuticals are the sectors most often named as areas of possible India-Croatia cooperation.
• The 1956 meeting of Jawaharlal Nehru, Josip Broz Tito and Gamal Abdel Nasser on the Brijuni islands in present-day Croatia is part of the historical background of Indian-Croatian goodwill.
• Bilateral trade between India and Croatia is small, so most analysts see the potential for growth as larger than current volumes.

How did India-Croatia relations begin?

India-Croatia relations began in the early 1990s, when Croatia declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 25 June 1991 and India recognised the new state and established diplomatic relations soon afterwards. India had long-standing friendly relations with Yugoslavia, and those relations provided a natural starting point for ties with its successor states.

The Yugoslav period is historically relevant. In July 1956, Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito hosted Jawaharlal Nehru and Gamal Abdel Nasser on the Brijuni (Brioni) islands in the Adriatic, a meeting often seen as an important step towards the Non-Aligned Movement. The islands are in present-day Croatia. Today, Indian and Croatian officials sometimes mention this shared past when discussing the relationship, although Croatia pursued a different foreign-policy direction after independence, aiming for NATO and EU membership.

During the 1990s Croatia was occupied with the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995) and post-war reconstruction, and its foreign relations were focused on its neighbourhood and Western Europe. The 2000s and 2010s saw gradual expansion of contacts, with embassies in each other’s capitals, trade promotion visits, cultural programmes and parliamentary exchanges. Croatia’s membership of the EU from 1 July 2013 gave the relationship new relevance.

Why was the 2025 visit by an Indian prime minister significant?

The June 2025 visit was significant because Narendra Modi was the first Indian prime minister to visit Croatia, and the trip signalled that India wants to broaden its engagement with smaller European Union members. The visit took place during a multi-country tour and included talks in Zagreb with the Croatian prime minister, Andrej Plenkovic, and meetings with other Croatian leaders.

According to reports, the discussions covered trade and investment, defence and security, information technology, shipbuilding and maritime cooperation, tourism, culture, science and the Indian diaspora. The two sides also spoke about terrorism and about the importance of peace and international law, and both highlighted the democratic values they share. Specific agreements and announcements are best verified in the official joint statement and in documents released by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Croatian government.

Prime ministerial visits do not by themselves change trade volumes, but they provide political direction. After a first visit, ministries and agencies usually follow with working groups, business delegations and cultural programmes, so the pace of cooperation after 2025 is the real test.

What role do shipbuilding and maritime ties play?

Shipbuilding and maritime ties are among the most discussed areas of India-Croatia cooperation because Croatia has a centuries-old Adriatic shipbuilding tradition and India is expanding its own shipbuilding, ports and shipping sector. Croatian yards in Rijeka, Pula, Split and other towns have built merchant ships, tankers and specialised vessels, though the industry has gone through restructuring and privatisation.

India’s government has set ambitious goals to modernise shipbuilding and port infrastructure through programmes such as Sagarmala and the Maritime India Vision. Croatian engineering firms, naval architects and ship-repair companies can offer design expertise, and Indian shipyards have scale and cost advantages. Possible areas include design cooperation, specialised vessels, ship repair and maritime training, although concrete projects depend on commercial terms.

Croatia also has a large seafaring workforce, and Indian seafarers form a major part of the global merchant fleet, so maritime labour and training are further areas where the two countries have shared interests. Ports on the Adriatic, such as Rijeka, may also be relevant for trade routes connecting the Mediterranean with Central Europe.

How important are tourism and people-to-people links?

Tourism and people-to-people links are important to India-Croatia relations because tourism is a major part of Croatia’s economy and the Indian outbound travel market is one of the fastest growing in the world. Croatia attracts around twenty million visitors a year, mostly from Europe, with Indian travellers still a small share but increasing.

• Destinations: Dubrovnik, Split, the Dalmatian islands, Plitvice Lakes National Park and Zagreb are popular with international visitors.
• Film and wedding tourism: Croatia has attracted film productions and destination weddings, including interest from Indian filmmakers and families.
• Visas: Since January 2023 Croatia has been part of the Schengen area, so Indian travellers apply for a Schengen visa, which is valid across the zone.
• Diaspora: The Indian community in Croatia is small, and it includes professionals, students and workers, with growing numbers in tourism, construction and services.
• Culture and learning: Yoga and Indian cuisine are popular in Croatian cities, and there is academic interest in Indian philosophy, languages and literature at the University of Zagreb.

Direct flights between India and Croatia have been limited, with most travellers connecting through major European or Gulf hubs, so improved connectivity would help tourism and business.

What do information technology and pharmaceuticals offer?

Information technology and pharmaceuticals offer India and Croatia complementary opportunities because India is a global leader in IT services and generic medicines, while Croatia has a growing technology start-up scene and an established pharmaceutical sector. Both fields are repeatedly named in joint discussions as practical areas for business cooperation.

Information technology

Croatia is home to technology companies and start-ups in software, communications platforms, electric vehicles and mobile applications. Zagreb and other cities have technology parks and universities with engineering programmes. Indian IT firms, which already serve European clients, can use Croatia as a European delivery location, and Croatian companies can use Indian talent and markets. Cooperation could extend to digital public infrastructure, such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which India has promoted in many countries.

Pharmaceuticals

India supplies a large share of the world’s generic medicines and vaccines. Croatia has a long-established pharmaceutical industry, with companies producing generics and over-the-counter products. Indian firms can supply finished medicines and active ingredients, while Croatian firms may gain from joint research and distribution partnerships. Regulatory compliance with EU standards is essential, and manufacturers must meet the European Medicines Agency’s requirements.

How does the European Union context shape India-Croatia relations?

The European Union context shapes India-Croatia relations because Croatia, an EU member since 1 July 2013, follows EU trade policy, standards and regulations, so tariffs and market access for Indian goods are set at EU level. India’s long-running trade negotiations with the EU therefore matter more for Croatia than a bilateral Indian-Croatian agreement would.

Croatia adopted the euro and joined the Schengen area on 1 January 2023, and it has been a NATO member since 2009. Croatia held the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2020. These roles give it a voice in European discussions, and Croatian officials have generally supported closer EU-India relations, in line with the Union’s wider Indo-Pacific and connectivity strategies.

Energy provides another connection. Croatia opened a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the island of Krk in 2021 to diversify supplies in Central and Southeast Europe, and India is among the world’s major LNG importers. The overlap is not a bilateral deal, but it shows common interests in energy security and in the global gas market.

For Indian companies, Croatia offers EU market access, a euro-denominated economy and a base for tourism-related investment, though its small domestic market limits scale.

What is the state of India-Croatia trade?

India-Croatia trade is small, generally estimated at a few hundred million US dollars a year at most, and it is a fraction of India’s trade with larger European economies. Both governments have said they want to raise it, and the 2025 visit was partly aimed at this goal.

Because trade and investment rules are set at EU level, an eventual India-EU agreement could change the picture for both sides. Meanwhile, practical steps such as business forums, trade fairs, chambers of commerce contacts and embassy-supported delegations help companies find partners. Statistical figures vary by source and year, so current numbers should be taken from official trade databases.

What defence and security issues feature in India-Croatia relations?

Defence and security feature in India-Croatia relations as an area of dialogue, covering counter-terrorism, maritime security and defence-industry contacts, but the actual scale of defence trade is small. Croatia is a NATO and EU member, and its security priorities lie primarily in Europe and the Adriatic.

Croatia has a modest defence industry producing small arms, vehicles, naval components and equipment, and it modernises its armed forces with imports from partners in the alliance. India has promoted defence exports and co-production under its self-reliance policy. Both countries condemn terrorism and support cooperation on counter-terrorism. Specific defence agreements and exercises, if any, should be confirmed in official government documents, because announcements after high-level visits vary in scope.

Timeline: key points in India-Croatia relations

What challenges and opportunities lie ahead?

The main challenges for India-Croatia relations are small market size, limited direct connectivity and low mutual business awareness, while the main opportunities are in maritime industries, tourism, digital technology, pharmaceuticals and the wider European market. Both countries have signalled political interest, and the next step is to turn that interest into projects.

Opportunities

• Joint ventures and design partnerships in shipbuilding, ship repair and maritime training.
• Indian IT and start-up cooperation with Croatian technology firms and universities.
• Growth in Indian tourism and destination events in Croatia, supported by better flights.
• Regulated mobility for students and skilled workers.
• Cultural cooperation, including Yoga, language teaching and film.

Challenges

• Distance, limited flights and the cost of Schengen visas and travel.
• EU regulatory standards that Indian exporters must meet.
• Competition from larger European partners for Indian attention.
• A restructured and still-consolidating Croatian shipbuilding sector.

Bottom Line

India-Croatia relations are young, friendly and still small in economic terms. The 2025 prime ministerial visit gave political momentum, and the relationship will be judged by progress in shipbuilding, tourism, technology, pharmaceuticals and connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first Indian prime minister to visit Croatia?

Narendra Modi was the first Indian prime minister to visit Croatia, travelling to Zagreb in June 2025. The visit included talks with Croatian leaders on trade, technology, defence, culture and other areas of cooperation.

When did India and Croatia establish diplomatic relations?

India and Croatia established diplomatic relations in the early 1990s, after Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. India had long been friendly with Yugoslavia, and that goodwill carried over to its successor states.

Which sectors do India and Croatia want to cooperate in?

India and Croatia mainly want to cooperate in shipbuilding and maritime industries, tourism, information technology, pharmaceuticals, energy and culture. Defence and security dialogue, including counter-terrorism, is also part of the agenda.

Do Indians need a visa for Croatia?

Yes, Indian citizens generally need a Schengen visa to visit Croatia, because Croatia joined the Schengen area on 1 January 2023. A visa that is valid for the Schengen zone allows travel within it, but rules can change, so travellers should check with the Croatian embassy or an official visa service.

How much trade is there between India and Croatia?

Trade between India and Croatia is small, generally estimated at a few hundred million US dollars a year at most. India exports pharmaceuticals, machinery and textiles, while Croatia exports machinery, wood products and food items, and exact figures vary by source and year.

What is the historical link between India, Croatia and the Non-Aligned Movement?

The historical link is that Croatia was part of Yugoslavia, whose leader Josip Broz Tito met Jawaharlal Nehru and Gamal Abdel Nasser on the Brijuni islands in 1956. That meeting is often seen as part of the groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement, which Yugoslavia and India co-founded.

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