New Delhi, Feb 18 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had a “fruitful” meeting with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic and discussed ways to add momentum to bilateral ties in areas such as technology, innovation, shipbuilding and blue economy, officials said.

Modi also expressed gratitude to Plenkovic for his personal support for the India-European Union free trade agreement (FTA), which will bring “unprecedented progress” for people in India and Europe.

“Held fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Mr Andrej Plenkovic. We discussed how to add momentum to our bilateral partnership in areas such as technology, innovation, shipbuilding, blue economy and boosting connectivity through the IMEEC corridor,” Modi said in a post on X.

Plenkovic said that in the first 11 months of 2025, trade exchange increased by 10 per cent, and Croatia saw further opportunities for cooperation in logistics and maritime transport, digital transformation, defence and security, and in other areas.

“It was a pleasure to meet again with the Prime Minister of India in New Delhi, following his visit to Zagreb last year. We are building excellent political relations with India, the world's most populous country,” he posted on X.

Plenkovic also said they reflected on Croatia's priorities as Chair of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) and the EUMED9 group.

The 3SI is a political and economic forum launched in 2015-2016 by Croatia and Poland, focusing on 13 EU member states between the Baltic, Adriatic, and Black Seas.

As a Mediterranean gateway to central Europe, Croatia has a unique position and role in connecting the 3SI with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Plenkovic said.

“We welcomed the EU-India trade agreement, which will create a free trade area covering a quarter of humanity. It is important that the EU continues develop cooperation and partnership with global powers such as India,” he said.

The Croatian leader also said his visit is taking place in the context of the AI Impact Summit-2026, during which his delegation will discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping today's world.

The AI Impact Summit, being held at the Bharat Mandapam here from February 16-20, is being attended by more than 500 global AI leaders, including CEOs and founders, academicians, researchers, CTOs, VPs, and philanthropists. PTI ACB ARI

Free trade agreement momentum boosted as leaders discuss cooperation across technology, shipbuilding and corridor connectivity. Leaders focused on strengthening bilateral ties by promoting a Free Trade Agreement and enhancing cooperation in technology, innovation, shipbuilding, blue economy, and connectivity via the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor. Croatia flagged increased trade and opportunities in logistics, maritime transport, digital transformation, defence and security, and emphasised its gateway role linking the Three Seas Initiative with the IMEC corridor. The visit occurred alongside the AI Impact Summit, framing AI's policy relevance to these economic agendas.