In a landmark moment symbolising the deep-rooted cultural and intellectual ties between India and Croatia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed heartfelt gratitude to Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic for presenting him with a reprint of the world’s first printed Sanskrit grammar.
“Thank you, Prime Minister Plenkovic. This is indeed a remarkable symbol of the enduring intellectual and cultural bonds between India and Croatia! May these bonds get even stronger in the times to come,” PM Modi posted on X.
The gifted book, titled Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar, was originally authored in Latin in 1790 by Croatian missionary and scholar Filip Vezdin (1748–1806). Based on knowledge gathered from Kerala Brahmins and Indian manuscripts, Vezdin’s pioneering work is recognised as Europe’s first serious academic effort towards studying Indian languages and culture.
Croatian PM Plenkovic also posted about the exchange:
“I presented to the Indian Prime Minister a reprint of Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar… This is also a symbol of the early cultural ties between Croatia and India,” he said on X.
Alongside this historic reprint, PM Plenkovic gifted the book “Croatia & India, Bilateral Navigator for Croatian Diplomats and Business” by Dr. Sinisa Grgic, exploring the multi-dimensional relationship between the two nations.
In a special video message, PM Modi summarised his visit, thanking the Croatian leadership and people for their support after the Pahalgam terror attack in India.
During his official talks with PM Plenkovic in Zagreb, both leaders held wide-ranging discussions covering trade, technology, defence, space, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, tourism, digitalisation, and cultural cooperation.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the growing enthusiasm for Yoga, Indology, and Indian culture in Croatia, strengthening people-to-people connections. PM Modi also extended greetings to Croatia’s Yoga community ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21.
PM Modi’s Croatia visit marked the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister, concluding his three-nation tour that also included Cyprus and participation in the G7 Summit in Canada.
This historic exchange underscores a bright future for India-Croatia ties rooted in shared intellectual and cultural heritage.