Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a grand and emotional welcome in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, on Wednesday, making history as the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Balkan nation. The visit became even more memorable when he was greeted not just by the Indian diaspora, but also by Croatian nationals, with the sacred chanting of the Gayatri Mantra and other Sanskrit verses. This rare sight highlighted the deepening cultural ties and mutual respect between India and Croatia.
Indian Greeting to PM
As soon as PM Modi arrived at his hotel in Zagreb, the atmosphere turned festive. Members of the Indian community, waving the tricolour, greeted him with patriotic slogans such as “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” The welcome included traditional Indian dance performances, adding colour and energy to the occasion. What stood out was the involvement of Croatian nationals, dressed in white, who joined in reciting the Gayatri Mantra alongside the Prime Minister. The chanting of this revered Sanskrit verse, considered one of the most powerful in Hinduism, created a spiritual and cultural bridge between the two countries.
PM Modi shared videos of the event on his official social media handle, expressing his happiness at seeing Indian culture being respected so much in Croatia. He posted, “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…” The video quickly spread across social media, drawing appreciation from people around the world for the unique display of cultural harmony.
During his interactions, PM Modi praised the Indian community in Croatia for their contributions to the country’s progress and for staying connected to their roots. He said, “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!”
Ceremonial Welcome in Croatia
The Croatian government also showed special respect for the Indian leader. In a notable gesture, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković personally received PM Modi at the airport. Later, PM Modi was given a ceremonial welcome at the historic Banski Dvori palace, where he held talks with Prime Minister Plenković. The two leaders discussed a wide range of topics, including trade, investment, science and technology, defence, space, and cultural cooperation. They agreed on the need to boost business partnerships and people-to-people ties, with Croatia being seen as a potential gateway for India into Central and Southeastern Europe.
PM Modi’s visit to Croatia was the final leg of his three-nation tour, which also included stops in Cyprus and Canada, where he attended the G7 Summit. The visit marks a new chapter in India-Croatia relations, opening doors for stronger diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation in the future.
The historic welcome in Zagreb, with the resonant chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, has set a new milestone in the friendship between India and Croatia, and showcased the global respect for Indian traditions and values.
