UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19th June 2025
India-Croatia Call for Peaceful Solutions Through Dialogue
Why in News?
- PM Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia, strengthening bilateral ties through cooperation.
Introduction
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Croatia, marking a significant milestone in India-Croatia bilateral relations.
- The visit comes at a time of global geopolitical tensions, especially the Israel-Iran conflict and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, making India’s diplomatic outreach even more crucial.
Key Highlights of the Visit
1. Message for Peace and Diplomacy
In a joint press statement with Croatian PM Andrej Plenković, PM Modi:
- Emphasized that “solutions cannot come from battlefields”, whether in Europe or Asia.
- Reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable pathways to resolving conflicts.
- Condemned terrorism as the “enemy of humanity”, reinforcing India’s global stand against terrorism.
2. Global Geopolitical Context
- Discussions covered the Israel-Iran conflict, Russia-Ukraine war, and broader security concerns.
- Both leaders agreed that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is fundamental to global peace.
- Croatia expressed support for India’s stance on cross-border terrorism and shared concerns about global instability.
Location & Population
Situated in Central/Southeastern Europe along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, with maritime access to Italy. It spans around 56,600 km² and has roughly 3.9 million residents
- A parliamentary republic and EU member
- Joined Eurozone and Schengen in 2023
Diplomatic & Historical Ties
- India recognized Croatia’s independence in May 1992, establishing diplomatic relations on July 9, 1992
- Croatia opened its embassy in New Delhi in 1995; India followed with its embassy in Zagreb in 1996 .
- Longstanding Indological scholarship in Croatia: Zagreb University’s Indology Department (since 1962), “Hindi Chair,” and strong academic collaboration
- Historical maritime contacts trace back to Dubrovnik merchants in 16th-century Goa, a little-known chapter in shared maritime history
Strategic & Economic Goals
- Croatia as Europe gateway: Croatia’s ports (Rijeka, Split, Ploče) are vital nodes in the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor, helping diversify India’s European trade routes
- Economic cooperation: India-Croatia trade escalated to ~USD 337 million in 2023, expected to grow via bilateral investment in pharma, IT, agriculture, digital tech, semiconductors and renewable energy
- Support for India–EU FTA: Croatia has voiced strong support within the EU for an early conclusion of the trade agreement
Bilateral Cooperation & Agreements
A. Sectors Identified for Cooperation
The two sides agreed to accelerate collaboration in the following sectors:
- Defence & Security
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agriculture
- Information Technology & Digital Tech
- Semiconductors & Clean Technologies
- Shipbuilding
- Cybersecurity
- Renewable Energy
- Space cooperation – India to share space experience
B. Signed Agreements (MoUs)
Four key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in:
- Agriculture
- Culture
- Science and Technology
- Indology studies – Agreement between ICCR (India) and University of Zagreb; Hindi Chair extended till 2030.
India–EU Strategic Partnership
- Both countries affirmed that in the current global scenario, India-EU relations are of “immense importance”.
- Croatia backed India’s efforts to finalize the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was termed an “excellent opportunity” for regional connectivity.
People-to-People & Cultural Diplomacy
- PM Modi highlighted the popularity of Yoga and Indology in Croatia.
- A new 5-year cultural exchange programme was announced.
- Croatia presented a reprint of Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar (1790) – the first printed Sanskrit grammar, authored by Croatian scholar Filip Vezdin, showcasing deep cultural ties.
- Modi was also given the book “Croatia & India: Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business”.
Strategic and Diplomatic Significance
A. India’s First PM Visit to Croatia
- Marks the deepening of political and economic ties between India and a key EU member in the Balkans.
B. Soft Power and Cultural Outreach
- India’s soft power tools (Yoga, Indology) were effectively utilized to strengthen ties.
C. Countering China’s Influence in Europe
- Strengthening Indo-European ties, especially with smaller EU countries like Croatia, contributes to India’s broader multi-alignment strategy and regional balancing.
3rd UN conference on landlocked countries
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / 3rd UN conference on landlocked countries Why in News? At the
Issue of soapstone mining in Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / Issue of soapstone mining in Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar Why in News? Unregulated
Groundwater Pollution in India – A Silent Public Health Emergency
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / Groundwater Pollution in India – A Silent Public Health Emergency Why
Universal banking- need and impact
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / Universal banking- need and impact Why in News? The Reserve Bank
India’s “Goldilocks” Economy: A Critical Appraisal
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 08th August 2025 Home / India’s “Goldilocks” Economy: A Critical Appraisal Why in News? The Finance
U.S.-India Trade Dispute: Trump’s 50% Tariffs and India’s Oil Imports from Russia
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07th August 2025 Home / U.S.-India Trade Dispute: Trump’s 50% Tariffs and India’s Oil Imports from
Eco-Friendly Solution to Teak Pest Crisis: KFRI’s HpNPV Technology
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07th August 2025 Home / Eco-Friendly Solution to Teak Pest Crisis: KFRI’s HpNPV Technology Why in
New Species of Non-Venomous Rain Snake Discovered in Mizoram
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 07th August 2025 Home / New Species of Non-Venomous Rain Snake Discovered in Mizoram Why in
Economic Implications
For Indian Exporters
- These reforms reduce transaction costs and compliance hurdles
- Encourage a more competitive and efficient export environment
- Promote value addition in key sectors like leather
For Tamil Nadu
- The reforms particularly benefit the state’s leather industry, a major contributor to employment and exports
- Boost the marketability of GI-tagged E.I. leather, enhancing rural and traditional industries
For Trade Policy
- These decisions indicate a shift from regulatory controls to policy facilitation
Reinforce the goals of Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s ambition to become a leading export power
Recently, BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, claimed that India has overtaken Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, citing data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
India’s rank as the world’s largest economy varies by measure—nominal GDP or purchasing power parity (PPP)—each with key implications for economic analysis.
