India and Europe need each other, and more importantly, the world needs what we can build together, he said at a lecture entitled "Bridging Continents: Croatia and India in a Connected World", concluding his three-day visit to India.
In an increasingly fragmented world, bridges matter more than walls. And Croatia will continue to serve as the Mediterranean gateway to Central Europe - a trusted bridge along the shortest route between India and the heart of Europe, he added.
Addressing 21st-century security challenges, Plenković noted that Croatia and India shared an interest in strengthening dialogue and exploring cooperation in defence and space.
Both countries have selected the Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft, opening further scope for dialogue and practical cooperation between their air forces.
On EU-India relations, he said the partnership was moving from ambition to implementation.
Through the Trade and Technology Council, Horizon Europe and Global Gateway, cooperation is delivering results in ethical AI, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and sustainable development. A future EU-India free trade agreement, he added, would boost trade, investment and supply chain resilience.
He welcomed the recent EU-India security and defence partnership as a lasting framework for joint work on maritime security, cyber resilience, counter-terrorism and regional stability.
Croatia and India are partners
Concluding his visit, Plenković also highlighted the Three Seas Initiative as a bridge between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, describing Croatia as a natural link between its north-south axis and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
He noted that the Port of Rijeka was undergoing major modernisation to become the leading northern Adriatic port and a key entry point for Indian goods bound for Central Europe, supported by upgraded rail links to Hungary, Austria and beyond.
Calling India a natural partner due to its global leadership in digital infrastructure and AI, Plenković said there was scope for closer cooperation in applied AI, industrial digitalisation, and secure digital ecosystems.
During his visit, which began on Wednesday with talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Plenković also stressed opportunities to expand economic ties, including Indian investment in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, IT, clean and digital technologies, renewables, and semiconductors.
He noted rising numbers of Indian tourists in Croatia, while Indian nationals account for 15% of non-EU foreign workers in the country.
Before addressing students, he met Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh and university representatives.