Zagreb, June 19:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created history by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia, a Balkan country. On his arrival at a hotel in Zagreb, he was warmly welcomed by the Indian diaspora with enthusiastic slogans of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. A cultural program featuring traditional Indian dance performances added to the festive spirit.

A rare and touching moment occurred during the event when a group of Croatian citizens, dressed in white, joined PM Modi in chanting the Gayatri Mantra and other Sanskrit shlokas. This highlighted the deep cultural connection between India and Croatia. PM Modi shared this video on his official X (Twitter) account, expressing his happiness and pride.

“The cultural bonds are strong and filled with enthusiasm! This was a part of the warm welcome I received in Zagreb. I’m glad to see Indian culture being respected in Croatia,” PM Modi tweeted.

PM Modi also shared a two-minute video capturing the highlights of the event, thanking the Indian community in Croatia for their heartfelt welcome and cultural performances.

He praised the Indian diaspora in Croatia, stating they are contributing significantly to the country’s progress while staying connected to their Indian roots.

“In Zagreb, I interacted with some members of the Indian community. Their warm welcome was unforgettable. Their enthusiasm shows how strongly they feel about strengthening the bond between India and Croatia,” he shared on X.

In a special gesture, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković personally received PM Modi at the airport. Modi arrived in Croatia after attending the G7 summit and meetings with several world leaders in Canada. He had also visited Cyprus earlier as part of this tour.