PM Modi, Croatian PM hold wide-ranging talks to boost bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic held delegationlevel talks in Zagreb on Wednesday with the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stating that the leaders engaged in wideranging discussions on various aspects of the bilateral partnershipAccording to the MEA the two leaders reviewed key areas of cooperation including trade and investment science and technology defence and security space cultural exchanges and peopletopeople ties They agreed on the substantial potential to enhance collaboration in infrastructure ports and shipping digitalization artificial intelligence renewable energy pharmaceuticals tourism and hospitalityThe MEA further noted the increasing popularity of Indian culture Indology and Yoga in Croatia calling it a key factor in bringing the peoples of both nations closer PM Modi conveyed his greetings to yoga enthusiasts in Croatia ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21Prime Minister Modis maiden visit to Croatia marks a historic moment being the firstever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Central European nation The MEA described it as a milestone in the IndiaCroatia partnership reflecting growing ties in the context of the IndiaEU Strategic PartnershipIn a press briefing MEA Secretary West Tanmay Lal said one of the key outcomes of the visit was the signing of four MoUscovering cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors science and technology a cultural exchange program and the extension of the Hindi Chair at the University of ZagrebThe two leaders then welcomed the signing of four documents including a cultural exchange program and an MoU on Hindi Chair at University of Zagreb said LalPM Modi and PM Plenkovic also discussed strengthening bilateral trade and enhancing supply chain resilience The MEA said both sides looked forward to the early conclusion of the IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement to advance these objectivesAddressing regional and global developments the leaders exchanged views on current conflicts and security challenges Counterterrorism emerged as a key issue with PM Modi thanking Croatia for its support and solidarity following the terror attacks in PahalgamThe two leaders also agreed to deepen innovation and entrepreneurship through the IndiaCroatia Startup Bridge Initiative first launched in 2021 They committed to building on previous collaboration especially in AI green tech and robotics and to formulating a longterm Defence Cooperation Plan with a focus on training military exchange and defence industry partnershipsSpeaking on this cooperation Lal said The leaders agreed to explore increased collaboration in defence building upon the MoU that was signed two years ago In a joint statement PM Modi said India would share its space experience with Croatia and promote academic collaborations He added that Croatian companies would find opportunities in Indias port modernization and coastal zone development under the Sagarmala ProjectOur centuriesold cultural relations are the root of mutual affection and goodwill said PM Modi We have decided to give more strength to our cultural and peopletopeople relations The MoU on the Hindi Chair at the University of Zagreb has been extended till 2030 and a new fiveyear cultural exchange program has been preparedPM Modi also expressed gratitude to the Croatian government for the warm welcome and noted that both India and Croatia are guided by shared values such as democracy pluralism and the rule of law It is a happy coincidence that the people of both India and Croatia have given us the opportunity to serve a third consecutive term he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever