India and Croatia stressed for strengthening cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce and defence and maritime

India and Croatia held the 10th session of Foreign Office Consultations in Zagreb on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement released on Saturday

During the Consultations, both sides carried out a comprehensive review of the existing bilateral relations, including strengthening of cooperation in trade and economic relations, defence and maritime, science & technology, innovation, research & development, higher education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people ties, the Ministry said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the UN and other multilateral fora, climate change and sustainable development, the Ministry added.

Both sides exchanged views on regional issues such as the EU, QUAD, Indo-Pacific, the Ukraine conflict and developments in India’s neighbourhood, the Ministry maintained.

Both agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at mutually convenient dates next year in New Delhi, the MEA added.

At the FOCs, the Indian side was led by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, the Croatian side was led by Petar Mihatov, Director General for Political Affairs of the country’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.