
Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a soul-stirring welcome in Croatia with chants of the Gayatri Mantra (photo-videograb)
A Spiritual Welcome: Gayatri Mantra Resonates in Zagreb
On June 18, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Zagreb, Croatia, to a welcome unlike any other. As the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Balkan nation, Modi was greeted not just with diplomatic protocol, but with chants of the sacred Gayatri Mantra, performed by a group of Croatian nationals dressed in white, alongside members of the Indian diaspora.
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The moment, captured in a video shared by the Prime Minister himself, showed Modi joining in the chanting with folded hands, visibly moved by the gesture. “The bonds of culture are strong and vibrant!” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Happy to see Indian culture has so much respect in Croatia.”
The welcome also featured traditional Indian dance performances, patriotic chants like “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” and a vibrant display of India’s cultural heritage. The spiritual and emotional tone of the reception underscored the deepening cultural ties between India and Croatia, and the growing global resonance of Indian traditions.
A Diplomatic First: India and Croatia Open a New Chapter
PM Modi’s visit to Croatia is more than symbolic, it’s strategically significant. As part of his three-nation tour following stops in Cyprus and Canada, the Croatian leg marks a new chapter in India’s engagement with Central and Eastern Europe. Modi was received at the airport by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, a rare gesture that signaled the importance Zagreb places on this bilateral relationship.
During his stay, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with both Plenković and President Zoran Milanović, with a focus on expanding cooperation in trade, defense, innovation, ports, and cultural exchange. The two countries are expected to sign four key agreements, including one on agriculture and another extending the cultural exchange program.
Croatia, a member of both the EU and NATO, offers India a valuable partner in a region that is increasingly relevant in global geopolitics. With bilateral trade currently modest, the visit aims to unlock new economic and strategic opportunities, while also strengthening India’s voice within the European Union.
Culture as Soft Power: A Moment That Transcends Politics
What made this visit truly unforgettable was the fusion of diplomacy and devotion. The chanting of the Gayatri Mantra by Croatian citizens, some of whom study Hindi and Sanskrit at the University of Zagreb, was a powerful testament to the soft power of Indian culture.
In an age where diplomacy often feels transactional, this moment stood out for its authenticity and emotional depth. It wasn’t just about treaties or trade, it was about shared values, mutual respect, and spiritual kinship.
PM Modi’s interaction with the Indian community in Croatia further amplified this sentiment. “There is immense enthusiasm among the Indian community here about this visit and its impact in making the bond between our nations stronger than ever before,” he shared on social media.
This visit, and the welcome it inspired, is a reminder that India’s global influence is not just measured in economic or military terms, but in the hearts it touches and the cultures it connects.
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