Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to embark on a major three-nation tour of Europe next month, with a historic first stop in Croatia, followed by visits to Norway and the Netherlands. Scheduled for mid-May, the trip underscores a deepening of ties between India and the European continent, following a series of high-level exchanges already this year.
Modi’s visit to Croatia will mark the first-ever official visit by an Indian prime minister to the Adriatic nation. It is being hailed as a strategic diplomatic milestone, with a strong focus on enhancing economic cooperation, trade relations, and geopolitical connectivity, reports The New Indian Express.
A key agenda item will be discussions around the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)—a major initiative unveiled at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi. The corridor aims to strengthen transport and trade networks between India, the Gulf, and Europe. Croatia’s strategic location and proximity to ports like Italy’s Trieste—a central node in the IMEC—make it a valuable partner in this emerging trade axis.
In recent months, the tempo of diplomatic engagement between India and the EU has accelerated. Earlier this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her cabinet visited New Delhi to reinforce bilateral cooperation across energy, technology, and security sectors. A high-profile India-European Union summit is also planned for later this year.
Croatia, with its EU membership and growing interest in Indo-Pacific partnerships, is positioning itself as a bridge between Central Europe and South Asia. The visit is expected to include meetings with Croatian President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, along with a joint business forum aimed at boosting bilateral trade.
Modi’s European tour not only strengthens India’s bilateral relationships but also showcases its strategic aspirations in an increasingly interconnected global economy.