• Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received in Zagreb, Croatia, on Wednesday in a culturally rich and emotional welcome that showcased the deepening bonds between India and Croatia. Arriving from Canada on the final leg of his three-nation tour, PM Modi was greeted with traditional Indian chants, mantras, and dances by both Indian expatriates and Croatian nationals who share a deep admiration for Indian culture.

In a video shared by PM Modi on X, a group of Croatian citizens, three women dressed in white sarees and three men in kurtas with vibhooti on their foreheads, an be seen chanting the sacred Gayatri Mantra and other Vedic hymns as the Prime Minister joined them with folded hands, visibly moved by the gesture. The chants echoed through the capital city of Zagreb, blending the spiritual essence of Indian tradition with the warm hospitality of the Croatian people.

Croatian Student Shares Love For Hindi

Adding a personal touch to the welcome, a Croatian student studying Hindi at the Department of Indology at the University of Zagreb said, “PM Modi’s visit is a big thing for our nation. I like speaking Hindi. We are all here to welcome him.”

The Indian community in Croatia also came together in a grand display of pride and celebration. Outside the hotel where PM Modi was staying, they raised patriotic slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” while traditional Indian dance performances captivated the crowd. Dressed in colorful Indian attire, performers celebrated the Prime Minister’s arrival with music and rhythm that reflected India's diverse cultural heritage.

Diplomatic First For India And Croatia

This marks the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Croatia, underscoring a new chapter in bilateral ties. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called it a “historic milestone in India-Croatia relations.” Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who welcomed Modi at the airport in a special gesture, said on X, “We welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Zagreb! This is the first visit of the Prime Minister of India – the world’s most populous country – which is taking place at an important geopolitical moment.”

Before arriving in Croatia, PM Modi attended the G7 summit in Canada, where he held discussions with world leaders on key global challenges. He had earlier visited Cyprus as part of his multi-nation diplomatic tour.