Context
India and Croatia have agreed to develop an extended-term defence cooperation plan.
Key Highlights
- Both sides agreed to broaden a protracted-term Defence Cooperation Plan consisting of:
- Joint military training.
- Personnel exchanges.
- Industry-level defence partnerships.
- Emphasis on cooperation in cybersecurity and defence manufacturing.
- MoUs Signed on Agriculture, Cultural Exchange, Science & Technology and putting in place of an ICCR Chair of Hindi in Zagreb.
- India-EU FTA: India and Croatia have mentioned the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
- Croatia has reiterated its robust help for the early conclusion of the FTA.
- Investment: Commitment to decorate investment in Croatia’s crucial industries, together with pharmaceuticals, agriculture, information technology, technology, digital generation, and semiconductors.
- Academic and cultural exchanges: Academic institutes from both nations could carry out joint research projects.
- The sides finalized a 5-year plan for cultural exchange programs, institutionalising the people-to-people connections.
- Enhanced mobility and diplomatic engagement: India and Croatia might “soon” signal a mobility agreement to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries.
- This settlement is expected to boost tourism, instructional exchanges, and business cooperation.
- Space and Academic Collaboration: Joint work in area ventures announced.
- India to share its space information with Croatia.
Significance of the Engagement
- Evolving European Strategy: PM Modi’s visit reflects India’s increasing European outreach beyond traditional Western companions.
- Importance of Croatia in India’s Strategic Vision: Croatia’s neutral stance on fundamental global conflicts and tech cooperation willingness align with India’s values.
- Eastern & Central Europe Access: Croatia shares borders with Hungary, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia.
India and Croatia
- Maritime and Logistics Significance: Croatia is located on the eastern Adriatic coast, a key maritime gateway to Europe.
- Strategic for India amid Red Sea/Suez disruptions and global supply chain rebalancing.
- Role in India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): Croatia regarded as an essential node in the IMEC change corridor.
- Offers opportunity trade routes to Central and Eastern Europe bypassing traditional Western European ports.
- Influence in EU and NATO: Croatia is a full member of the EU and NATO, increasing its institutional weight.
- Provides India with indirect access to European regulatory systems and policy debates.
- Supports India’s FTA with EU; precious for overcoming FTA negotiation roadblocks.
- Diplomatic Alignment and Multilateral Support: Croatia helps India’s UNSC everlasting club bid.
- India’s function on Jammu and Kashmir (non-interventionist method).
- Acts as a predictable and strong partner, unlike a few large EU nations.
Conclusion
- The visit marks a new chapter in India’s European diplomacy.
- Rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and complementary skills.
- Demonstrates that small but influential nations may be vital in India’s multipolar global strategy.
Source: The Hindu
Prelims PYQ
Q. Consider the following statements: (2023)
The ‘Stability and Growth Pact’ of the European Union is a treaty that
- limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union
- makes the countries of the European Union to share their infrastructure facilities
- enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies
How many of the above statements are correct
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Exp: (a)
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