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Q1. Which of the following countries do not share a border with Croatia?
1. Austria
2. Montenegro
3. Hungary
4. Slovakia
5. Bulgaria
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 4 and 5 only
D. 1 and 5 only

Answer: C.
PM Modi’s Croatia visit:
Significance &
Strategic Context
• PM Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Croatia,
part of his 3-nation tour (Cyprus, Canada, Croatia), and
the first since Operation Sindoor.

• Comes amid a larger diplomatic effort to enhance ties

with EU countries in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine
war, Trump’s presidency, and EU’s intent to reduce
dependence on China.
HISTORICAL BACKDROP OF CROATIA
• Yugoslavia Formation (1918): Formed as the Kingdom of
Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes; later named Yugoslavia in 1929
under King Alexander.

• Tito’s Communist Era: Post-WWII, Tito’s Second Yugoslavia

modelled on Soviet lines; ethnic rivalries persisted.

• Breakup of Yugoslavia (1991): Triggered by Soviet collapse

and rise of nationalism. Croatia gained independence in
1991; joined UN in 1992, NATO in 2009, and EU in 2013.
INDIA-CROATIA
BILATERAL TIES
• India Recognized Croatia Early: One of the first non-
European nations to recognize Croatia’s independence
in 1992.
• Diplomatic Presence: Croatia opened embassy in
Delhi (1995); India opened mission in Zagreb (1996),
upgraded to ambassador level in 1998.
• Historical Ties via NAM: Tito (half-Croat) maintained
friendly ties with India. Croatia once accounted for
2/3rd of Indo-Yugoslav trade.
STRATEGIC & GEOPOLITICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
• Adriatic Gateway: Croatia’s ports like
Rijeka, Split and Ploče are key nodes on
European transport corridors like TEN-T.

• Link to IMEC: Croatia can be a strategic

terminal of the India-Middle East-Europe
Corridor (IMEC), enhancing India's reach to
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Three Seas Initiative (3SI):
• The Three Seas Initiative (3SI or TSI), known
also as the Baltic, Adriatic, Black Sea (BABS).

• The Initiative aims to create a regional

dialogue on questions affecting the member
states.

• Croatia is part of this north-south bloc of 13

EU nations promoting energy and trade
cooperation. India’s presence here counters
China’s BRI influence in the region.
ECONOMIC & TRADE COOPERATION

• Trade Growth: Bilateral trade rose from $199 million (2017)

to $337 million (2023).
• Indian Exports: Pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery,
apparels.
• Croatian Exports: Chemicals, precision tools, rubber, timber,
vegetable oils.

CULTURAL & CIVILISATIONAL LINKS

• Sanskrit Grammar by Croatian Scholar: Ivan Filip Vezdin

printed the first Sanskrit grammar in Latin (1790). A reprint
was gifted to PM Modi.
• Church of Sao Braz in Goa: Constructed with help from
Croatians (1560s).
• Indian Studies in Croatia: Indian culture and Sanskrit
remain subjects of academic interest.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding India–Croatia relations and choose the correct
ones:
1. Croatia was among the last republics to break away from Yugoslavia and was recognized by the
UN in 2001.
2. India was one of the earliest non-European countries to recognize Croatia’s independence.
3. Croatia joined the European Union before becoming a member of NATO.
4. Ivan Filip Vezdin, a Croatian scholar, translated the Bhagavad Gita into Latin in the 18th century.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 4 only
Answer: A. 2 only
D. 2 and 4 only
Prelims Facts and Traps

Statement True/False Explanation

India recognised Croatia in 1992 True Diplomatic ties were established the same year
Croatia joined the EU
False Croatia joined NATO in 2009, EU in 2013
beforejoining NATO
Ivan Vezdin translated the Gita
False He printed Sanskrit grammar, not Gita
into Latin
Croatia is located on the Black
False It lies on the Adriatic Sea, not the Black Sea
Sea
Major exports include medicines, machinery,
India exports oil to Croatia False
chemicals
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 Pakistan’s balancing
Act on Iran
• Amid the Iran-Israel conflict, Pakistan has voiced rhetorical
support for Iran, criticizing Israel's actions as violations of
International Humanitarian Law.
• However, Pakistan denied any military commitment to Iran,
especially rejecting the claim that it would extend nuclear
deterrence.
• This duality reflects Pakistan’s tightrope diplomacy shaped by
its ties with Iran, US strategic interests, and rivalry with India.
Fraternal Yet Iran recognized Pakistan in 1947; supported it in 1965 & 1971 wars.
Fraught: I
But mistrust remains, especially post-1979 revolution.

Border The 900-km border sees regular clashes, often due to Baluch
Tensions: separatist activities.

Divergence Iran supported the Northern Alliance (anti-Taliban), while Pakistan

on patronized the Taliban.
Afghanistan:
Saudi Factor: Pakistan’s closeness to Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia undermines
deeper ties with Shia-majority Iran.
AMERICAN ANGLE: STRATEGIC
CALCULATION
• Post-1947, Pakistan joined the US camp, aiding
American missions in the Cold War and later in
Afghanistan post-9/11.
• US withdrawal from Kabul (2021) diminished Pak’s
strategic utility.
• Iran’s conflict with Israel creates a new opportunity
for Pak to regain relevance, portraying itself as a
regional mediator.
• Pakistan’s quick rejection of military aid to Iran is
aimed at reassuring the US and Israel.
INDIA’S STRATEGIC
VIEW

• Pak’s Propaganda: Pak aims to reframe itself as a

regional actor on par with India, citing US
involvement during Op Sindoor.
• Iran-India connectivity: India’s investments in
Chabahar Port and INSTC bypass Pakistan. Pak tries
to pull Iran closer via strategic posturing.
• Precedent fear: Pakistan is concerned Israel's attack
on Iran’s nuclear sites may set a global precedent
that India could replicate.
 • Pakistan’s posture is carefully
choreographed to project alignment with
Iran while safeguarding ties with the US. It
CONCLUSION also seeks to exploit the regional flux to
regain diplomatic leverage and reduce
India’s strategic edge in Iran and the region.
Q. "Pakistan’s strategic posturing amid the Iran-Israel conflict reflects its pursuit of
geopolitical relevance rather than ideological alignment."
Discuss in the context of Pakistan’s balancing act between Iran, the United States, and its
concerns over India’s regional influence. (250 words)
 Should India Worry?
• NO — India need not be overly worried due to strong India-Iran strategic ties
• India and Iran share a long-standing strategic relationship, including:
• Chabahar Port operations
• International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
• Energy cooperation (pre-U.S. sanctions era)
• Iran views India as a civilisational partner, and despite occasional hiccups, bilateral ties
are not easily shaken by rhetorical posturing from Pakistan.
• Tehran has never seriously aligned with Islamabad’s Kashmir stance, despite religious
similarities.
 Pakistan is attempting to re-hyphenate
itself with India in the eyes of the US (e.g.,
during Op Sindoor ceasefire talks, where
US credit-sharing irked India).
Some caution
is justified due It is trying to rebuild relevance with the US
by posing as a neutral mediator between
to Pakistan’s Iran and Israel—a role that might bring it
diplomatic closer to Washington’s good books again.
repositioning Pakistan may try to drive a wedge in India-
Iran ties by increasing diplomatic
engagement with Tehran.
If Pakistan uses this situation to internationalise
its own strategic insecurities

• Pakistan may cite Israeli attacks on Iranian

nuclear sites as a justification to lobby against
India’s No First Use (NFU) doctrine.
• There’s a fear that normalisation of preventive
strikes (like Israel’s) could be used by India in
future conflicts (a concern for Pakistan).
India’s conduct remains globally trusted and
mature

• India is a declared nuclear power, respected for its restraint and

responsibility under global nuclear safety norms.
• India has a bilateral nuclear non-attack agreement (1991) with
Pakistan, and adheres to it.
• Unlike Pakistan, India’s approach avoids sectarian posturing,
which gives it diplomatic credibility in West Asia.
Conclusion:

India should not be alarmed,

However, India should deepen
but must stay strategically
engagement with Iran, avoid
alert. Pakistan’s balancing act is
US-led dilution of ties, and
more about regaining
monitor Islamabad’s growing
geopolitical bargaining power,
diplomatic activism in West
not a credible threat to India-
Asia.
Iran ties.
Prelims Facts and Traps
Dimension Enriching Info
Iran-Pakistan
900 km; hotbed of Baluch insurgency
Border
Iran-Afghanistan
Iran opposed Taliban; Pak supported Taliban
Stance
India-Iran Projects Chabahar Port, INSTC threaten Gwadar’s relevance
Iran-Pak Clashes 15+ border strikes in last 10 years
Strategic Ports Chabahar (India-backed) vs Gwadar (China-backed)
Israel criticized for 1981 attack on Iraq's reactor; possible
UNSCR 487
precedent concerns Pakistan
WHY MADHYA PRADESH CM’S PLAN FOR KING
COBRAS IS UNFEASIBLE

BACKGROUND
•MP CM Mohan Yadav proposed two initiatives:
• Reintroduce King Cobras to curb venomous
snake population.
• Conduct a snake census to assess venomous
snake numbers.
•However, the idea is biologically flawed and
ecologically risky.
HABITAT CHALLENGE
• King Cobras prefer: humid, forested habitats with cool
swamps, bamboo patches, etc.
• Found in: Western Ghats, Terai, North-East, Andaman
& Nicobar, Odisha & WB mangroves, Eastern Ghats.
• MP has dry deciduous forests with no reliable
historical sightings of king cobras.
• No perennial water sources or dense vegetation exist
to sustain them.
 4 Lineages of Cobra

Northern King Cobra Sunda King Cobra Western Ghats King Luzon King Cobra
(Ophiophagus (Ophiophagus Cobra (Ophiophagus (Ophiophagus
hannah), bungarus), kaalinga), salvatana)
TAXONOMIC MISSTEP
• Until 2021, king cobra was one species: Ophiophagus
hannah.
• New findings split it into four lineages. The Western Ghats
population is now a separate species: Ophiophagus
kaalinga.
• Bringing a cobra from Karnataka to MP mixes lineages →
leads to hybridisation, harming endemic and endangered
gene pools.
CAPTIVE BREEDING AND REINTRODUCTION
ISSUES
• King cobras do not breed well in captivity.
• Releasing a few snakes won’t reduce venomous snake
numbers—they are territorial and avoid human
settlements.
• Impact will take decades to show and only after stable
wild populations emerge.
SNAKE CENSUS – A SCIENTIFIC
IMPOSSIBILITY

• No protocol exists globally for snake censuses.

• Snakes are cryptic, elusive, and data collection is
extremely unreliable.
• Conservationists argue it's neither feasible nor necessary
from a biodiversity perspective.
Prelims Facts and Traps

Fact/Statement True / False Explanation

King Cobra is found naturally in No confirmed sightings; habitat
False
Madhya Pradesh. unsuitable.
Ophiophagus kaalinga is an
Separated based on genetic and
identified species endemic to True
morphometric data.
Western Ghats.
King Cobras breed well in captivity. False Very difficult to breed in captivity.
King Cobra is the only snake species It guards its eggs unlike other
True
that builds nests. snakes.
Snake population can be estimated No global or national protocol
False
through wildlife census. exists.