Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic for presenting him with a reprint of the primary printed Sanskrit grammar—initially written in Latin in 1790 by Croatian scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin.
The symbolic reward, rooted in centuries-old mental and cultural ties between the 2 nations, marked a spotlight of PM Modi’s landmark go to to Croatia — the first-ever by an Indian Prime Minister.
Listed below are highlights from a landmark Croatia go to, which can increase India’s relations with a significant European accomplice… pic.twitter.com/EhAlLXowXn
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2025
PM Modi, after concluding his Croatia go to early on Thursday, described the reward as a “exceptional image” of tolerating Indo-Croatian bonds.
Taking to X, he wrote, “Thanks, Prime Minister Plenkovic. That is certainly a exceptional image of the enduring mental and cultural bonds between India and Croatia! Might these bonds get even stronger within the occasions to return.”
Thanks, Prime Minister Plenković. That is certainly a exceptional image of the enduring mental and cultural bonds between India and Croatia! Might these bonds get even stronger within the occasions to return. @AndrejPlenkovic https://t.co/zL39djuWGO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2025
The reprint of Vezdin’s work, handed over in a proper change, holds a big historic worth.
Vezdin, also called Ivan Filip Vezdin, was a pioneering Indologist who arrived in Malabar as a missionary in 1774 and later served because the Vicar-Normal on the Malabar Coast.
Primarily based on the data he gained from Kerala Brahmins and native manuscripts, he authored the Latin textual content Sanskritum Linguae Instituti, which turned the first-ever printed Sanskrit grammar.
Plenkovic, in a social media publish on Wednesday, stated, “To the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, I handed over a reprint of Vezdin’s Sanskrit grammar — the primary printed Sanskrit grammar, written in Latin in 1790… an emblem of early cultural ties between Croatia and India.”
He added that Vezdin was one of many first European students to noticeably have interaction with Indian languages and tradition.
The Croatian Prime Minister additionally gifted PM Modi a e-book titled ‘Croatia and India, Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Enterprise’, authored by Croatian diplomat Sinisa Grgica.
The e-book affords a comparative exploration of each nations and a roadmap for future cooperation.
“This e-book displays our achievements and the potential we are able to nonetheless realise, and we imagine that it’s going to encourage and encourage the strengthening of our future cooperation,” Plenkovic famous.
Upon his arrival in Croatia on Wednesday, PM Modi was welcomed at Franjo Tudman Airport with full ceremonial honours.
He was later greeted by enthusiastic members of the Indian neighborhood and Croatian residents, who lined the streets chanting “Modi-Modi”, “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, and “Vande Mataram”.
On the lodge, the Prime Minister was greeted with conventional performances, Vedic shlokas, and overwhelming heat from the group.
“The bonds of tradition are robust and vibrant! Glad to see Indian tradition has a lot respect in Croatia,” PM Modi stated, including, “Croatia’s Indian neighborhood has contributed to Croatia’s progress and likewise remained in contact with their roots in India.”
He later obtained a ceremonial welcome on the historic St. Mark’s Sq., following which delegation-level talks had been held between the 2 sides.
Plenkovic additionally underlined the strategic significance of PM Modi’s go to, stating, “We welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Zagreb! That is the primary go to by the Prime Minister of India — essentially the most populous nation on this planet — and it comes at an essential geopolitical second. We’re beginning a brand new chapter in Croatia-India relations and creating the circumstances for strengthening bilateral cooperation in quite a few areas.”