(Commonwealth_India) India has issued a strong and carefully worded condemnation following an incident of trespassing and vandalism at its embassy in Zagreb, underlining the seriousness with which it views any breach of diplomatic security. In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs said the act was carried out by what it described as “anti-India elements”, stressing that such actions violate not only property and security norms but also the foundations of diplomatic conduct between states.
According to the ministry, New Delhi has moved swiftly to raise the matter with the authorities in Croatia, engaging both Croatian officials in New Delhi and local authorities in Zagreb. Indian officials have sought firm assurances that the incident will be fully investigated and that those responsible will be identified and prosecuted. The MEA made clear that accountability is essential, not only to address this specific incident but also to deter any repetition in the future.
The episode has caused concern within diplomatic circles because embassies are considered extensions of a country’s sovereign presence abroad. Referring to international law, the ministry reminded Croatia of its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which explicitly states that diplomatic premises are inviolable and that host governments have a special duty to protect them against intrusion, damage or disturbance. Any failure to do so, the MEA suggested, risks undermining trust between nations and weakening the system that allows diplomacy to function safely worldwide.
While the statement did not provide details about the extent of the damage, officials signalled that the symbolic impact of such an act is just as troubling as physical vandalism itself. The Indian Embassy in Zagreb represents India’s political, economic and cultural engagement with Croatia, and any attack on it is viewed as an affront to that relationship. Indian authorities also emphasised that the embassy is run by diplomats and local employees who are justified in working in a setting free from fear or threat.
The MEA’s linguistic team advised a broader understanding of the motivations behind the event. By saying that such actions “speak of the character and motives” of those accountable, the ministry seemed to link the sabotage to broader efforts by outlying groups to provoke pressure or draw attention through illegal means. It added that law enforcement agencies everywhere should take note, signifying that tolerance for such acts could inspire similar occurrences elsewhere.
India’s response reflects a broader principle it has consistently defended: that differences between countries must be addressed through dialogue and lawful protest, not through attacks on diplomatic institutions. New Delhi said it expects the Croatian authorities to act decisively, reaffirming the shared international responsibility to uphold diplomatic norms and ensure that embassies remain protected spaces for peaceful engagement between nations.
