ZAGREB, JUNE 19 2025

During his visit to Zagreb, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a “special gift” from Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković: a reprint of Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar. The gesture carries significant cultural significance, symbolising the centuries-old connection between India and Croatia.

Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar is the first printed Sanskrit grammar written in Latin. It was published in 1790 by Croatian scholar and missionary Filip Vezdin during his time in India.

Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar is the first printed Sanskrit grammar written in Latin in 1790 by Croatian scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin during his time spent in India.

 Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic took to social media to highlight the historical and symbolic importance of the gift given to PM Modi. “I presented to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a reprint of Vezdin’s Sanskrit Grammar – the first printed Sanskrit grammar, written in Latin in 1790 by Croatia scientist and missionary Filip Vezdin (1748-1806), based on the knowledge he gained while living in India from Kerala Brahmins and local manuscripts.”

 He added that Vezdin was among the first European scholars to deeply engage with Indian languages and culture.

Responding to this, PM Modi posted on X, “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.” 

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Tags: Croatia, Sanskrit Grammar, book, Modi ,Filip Vezdin (1748-1806)