Daijiworld Media Network – Zagreb

Zagreb, Jun 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history on Wednesday as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia, receiving a warm and colourful welcome in the capital city of Zagreb.

As Modi arrived at his hotel, chants of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ echoed through the air, with members of the Indian community greeting him with traditional Indian dance performances. Adding to the cultural significance of the occasion, a group of Croatian nationals dressed in white joined PM Modi in chanting the Gayatri Mantra and other Sanskrit verses, underlining the deep spiritual and cultural ties between the two countries.

Sharing a video of the moment on X, PM Modi expressed delight, stating, “The bonds of culture are strong and vibrant! Happy to see Indian culture has so much respect in Croatia.”

In another post, Modi shared a two-minute video showcasing the highlights of his arrival and the vibrant performances, captioning it: “A welcome to remember in Zagreb, full of warmth and affection! Here are the highlights...”

The Prime Minister also took time to interact with members of the Indian diaspora, applauding their contributions to Croatia's progress and their continued connection to their Indian roots. “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!” he wrote on X.

In a notable gesture, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic personally received Modi at the airport, marking the significance of the visit.

PM Modi arrived in Zagreb from Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit and held bilateral talks with several global leaders. He had also visited Cyprus earlier during this multination tour.