New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic for his gift of a reprint of the first Sanskrit grammar book written in Latin in 1790 by a Croatian scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin, terming it a remarkable symbol of the enduring intellectual and cultural bonds between the two nations.

In a post on X, the PM said:

“Thank you, Prime Minister Plenković. 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.”

He was replying to a post by the Croatian PM Plenkovic, who wrote on X:

“I presented to the Indian Prime Minister @PMOIndia @narendramodi a reprint of Vezdin's Sanskrit Grammar - the first printed Sanskrit grammar, written in Latin in 1790 by Croatian scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin (1748–1806), based on the knowledge he gained while living in India from Kerala Brahmins and local manuscripts.

“With this pioneering work, Filip Vezdin became one of the first European scientists to seriously devote himself to Indian languages and culture. At the same time, this is also a symbol of the early cultural ties between Croatia and India.

“As part of the gift exchange, I also presented a book "Croatia & India, Bilateral Navigator for Diplomats and Business" by Croatian diplomat Dr. Siniša Grgić - which provides a unique and comprehensive comparative overview of our two countries and explores all dimensions of bilateral relations.

“This book reflects our achievements, as well as the potential we can still realize, and we believe that it will inspire and encourage the strengthening of our future cooperation and contribute to the further deepening of the mutual friendship between Croatia and India.”

Notably, PM Modi, during his visit to Zagreb yesterday was greeted by the chanting of Sanskrit mantras by a group of Croatians, who were in Indian attire and with sandalwood tilak on their foreheads.

During PM Modi's visit to Croatia yesterday, the two leaders held talks and signed some agreements.

UNI RN