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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that respecting the territorial integrity of nations is essential for global stability, emphasising the importance of sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Speaking alongside his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenković during his first official visit to the southeastern European nation, PM Modi emphasised that whether in Europe or Asia, solutions must emerge through dialogue, not warfare.
“We both support the fact that whether it is Europe or Asia, the problems cannot be solved on the battlefield and that the only way is through dialogue and diplomacy. Respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of any country is essential,” PM Modi said in a joint press address.
In remarks, PM Modi also said, “Terrorism is an enemy of humanity and stands against the forces that believe in democracy.”
The two leaders announced the formulation of a long-term Defence Cooperation Plan, focusing on military training, exchanges, and collaboration between their defence industries. Modi noted that the economies of India and Croatia complement each other in areas such as pharma, agriculture, IT, clean tech, digital innovation, renewable energy, and semiconductors.
The Indian prime minister thanked the Croatian government for expressing condolences over the April 22 terror attack in India and highlighted common values binding both democracies. “Democracy, the rule of law, pluralism, and equality are shared values that bind us,” he said.
In a moment of cultural diplomacy, Modi also referred to the popularity of yoga in Croatia, expressing confidence that the country will enthusiastically celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21.
“This is the first visit by any Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, and I am honoured to have this opportunity,” Modi said. “India and Croatia are connected by shared values… It is a pleasant coincidence that last year, the people of India entrusted me, and the people of Croatia entrusted Prime Minister Andrej, with the opportunity to serve for the third consecutive time.”
Croatian PM Plenković said that PM Modi’s visit reflects the strength and importance of relations between the two countries. The leaders also exchanged gifts and signed a guest book at the official residence, Banski Dvori, following a ceremonial welcome in Zagreb.