This article covers cooperation between India and Croatia outside trade and culture: defence and security, science and technology, agriculture, health, Yoga and Ayurveda, and startups. The source is the MEA brief of March 2026 on relations between the two countries. The brief records cooperation agreements and joint activities between the two countries rather than development assistance, so it has no material on lines of credit, grants or ITEC training for Croatia.
Defence and security
According to the MEA brief of March 2026, the MoU on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia dates from 2023. It was signed by the two Foreign Ministers in New Delhi.
On security, the two countries signed an Agreement on Cooperation in the Fight against International Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Terrorism, etc. in 2001.
Science and technology
A Programme of Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology for 2025-29 was signed in 2025. It was one of the four documents signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Croatia on 18 June 2025.
Agriculture
An MoU on Bilateral Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and allied sectors was also signed in 2025, during the same visit.
Health and medicine
India and Croatia signed an Agreement on Cooperation in Health and Medicine in 2010. The first Joint Working Group (JWG) on Health and Medicine was held in Delhi in February 2018.
In February 2023, Dr. Dragan Primorac, a former Croatian Science and Technology Minister whom the brief describes as the world's leading genetic forensic expert, made his first visit to India as Professor Emeritus of the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar. On 7 September 2024 he met Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi. According to the brief, they discussed the intensification of cooperation between India and Croatia in healthcare during a one-hour meeting.
The AYUSH Cell and traditional medicine
The Embassy of India in Zagreb has an AYUSH-supported Cell for Croatian friends and institutions that have long pursued traditional systems such as Yoga and Ayurveda. The Cell has organised regular fortnightly webinars and virtual sessions with local and international experts in Yoga and Ayurveda.
On 6 October 2021, an MoU was signed between the Kvarner Health & Tourism Cluster in Rijeka and the All India Institute of Ayurveda of the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. The first International Yoga Science Conference was held in Zagreb on 16 June 2019, with Yoga teachers, scientists and experts from Europe, the USA and Russia taking part.
At the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held in New Delhi from 17-19 December 2025, Prime Minister Modi conferred the Prime Minister's Yoga Award on Yogacharya Jadranko Miklec of Croatia for his contribution to the promotion and development of Yoga. The brief states that the award recognises his decades-long dedication to spreading the principles and practice of Yoga. It adds that his work has played a significant role in strengthening people-to-people ties between India and Croatia.
The Zagreb Advent Run
The Embassy took part for the first time in the 10th edition of the Zagreb Advent Run (ZAR), held on 14 December 2025. The event brought together over 5,000 runners and visitors from more than 30 countries.
India was the only partner country at the event. At the Embassy's stall, visitors were served masala chai and learned about India's AYUSH traditions, including Ayurveda and wellness initiatives such as DigestAll Churna.
Startups and innovation
The India-Croatia Startup Bridge was launched on 20 December 2021 by HAMAG BICRO from Croatia and Startup India from India. The brief places it under digital and startup ecosystem cooperation.
An India-Croatia Startup 50-day long challenge was then organised from 10 April 2022. It was run in collaboration with Infobip, Končar - Electric Vehicles Inc. and HexGn, with support from the Embassy of India, Zagreb.