MoS External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi meets Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković

Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi, who was on an official visit to Croatia, explored opportunities for stronger bilateral relations in a series of meetings with the country’s top leadership.

She called on Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Sunday (July 9, 2023). The meeting was held in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, and focused on bilateral, regional, and international developments.

In a tweet, MoS Lekhi expressed her pleasure at meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister, saying, "It was a pleasure meeting the Prime Minister of Croatia H.E. Andrej Plenković. Exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international developments."

She also met Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić-Radman and discussed steps to further strengthen bilateral ties.

"Glad to meet H.E. Mr. Gordan Grlić-Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia. Exchanged views on further strengthening India-Croatia relations. Also, discussed regional and global issues," she tweeted.

During her visit to Croatia, she addressed the prestigious Dubrovnik Forum on July 8 and spoke on India’s role in the global order and stability

"Addressed the @DubrovnikForum & spoke on India’s role in the global order and stability. Also highlighted the importance of having a strategic perspective on #IndoPacific from Europe, reform of the UN to strengthen Multilateralism, and adopting a middle path for global peace & stability," she said in Twitter.

While in Dubrovnik, MoS Lekhi and her delegation met with the mayor and representatives of the city.

During the meeting, the mayor of Dubrovnik expressed his satisfaction with the strong connection between Dubrovnik and India, dating back to the time of the Dubrovnik Republic. The meeting also included discussions on further cooperation in the fields of art, culture, film industry development, and tourism.

MoS Lekhi expressed her enthusiasm for Dubrovnik, highlighting its captivating natural beauty and the abundance of cultural, historical, and religious heritage it possesses. She emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation between India and Croatia, recognizing that despite the geographical distance separating the two countries, there is immense value in forging stronger ties between their peoples.

The MoS emphasized the significance of embracing customs and traditions as a means to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other's cultures. Furthermore, she stressed the need for continued investment in this cooperation, recognizing its potential to strengthen the bond between India and Croatia and create lasting benefits for both nations.

The meetings between high-level officials from both countries will facilitate constructive dialogue and enable the exchange of ideas, experiences, and expertise.The discussions encompassed sectors such as trade and investment, technology, tourism, education, culture, and science.

In the realm of trade and investment, MoS Lekhi's visit will channel the focus towards enhancing economic cooperation and expanding bilateral trade between India and Croatia. The intented outcome of the discussion is to potentially lead to the creation of new avenues for businesses, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting innovation.

Moreover, her visit to Croatia presents a valuable chance to reinforce the relationship between the two nations in the technology sector. By focusing on areas such as information technology, research and development, and innovation, both countries can leverage this opportunity to achieve significant technological advancements.

Additionally, MoS Lekhi's visit can serve as a platform for cooperation in the tourism sector. By promoting travel and tourism exchanges, India and Croatia can attract more visitors, showcase their respective attractions, and create opportunities for tourism-related businesses to flourish.

The visit also presents an avenue for collaboration in the field of science and research. Joint research projects, academic partnerships, and scientific collaborations can contribute to advancements in various disciplines and address common challenges faced by both countries.