‘Modi Opened The Doors For India’: Serbian President Vučić Hails PM’s Charisma, Statecraft

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 19:10 IST

Hailing India’s foreign policy, Serbian President Vučić said, “…At the end, all doors, gates are opened…That is serious statecraft.”

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, in an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18’s Rahul Shivshankar, praised PM Narendra Modi for turning India into a decisive global voice.

Hailing India’s foreign policy, he said, “…At the end, all doors, gates are opened…That is serious statecraft."

Three ways how PM Modi made India a decisive global voice

Listing the ways in which PM Modi turned India into a decisive global voice, Serbian President Vučić said, “He is a very charismatic and hardworking leader. He is well-known across the world. India became visible in the world because of him. He is overwhelmingly present and dominant."

Hailing the foreign policy of India, the Serbian President said, “When you speak to PM Modi, you speak to him and the India state, without being influenced by other powers."

According to Vučić, the third major reason is PM Modi’s contribution to India’s progress. “Not only in overall economy, but specific areas such as IT sector, digitised economy and AI."

On his previous meeting with PM Modi

Vučić said he first met Modi in Ahmedabad in Gujarat for a special conference in 2017. “What I saw not only in Modi’s behaviour, but his eyes was that he was committed to his country. He takes care of everything. He is committed to details. He is a control freak in a positive sense because he cares," the Serbian President said.

On strategic autonomy, geopolitical pressure

“Strategic autonomy gives you respect," he said.

Recounting the economic pressure, political isolation and attempts to weaken Serbia, the President said, “In the end, Narendra Modi opened all gates. We are not isolated. It was not the case 2-3 years ago…"

“There are tonnes of players in the world who want a weaker contender from India…Of course. There will always be attempts to weaken strong competitors. Why would others prefer a strong India? They would rather face a weaker one," he said.

That is why PM Modi is dedicated towards strengthening the military of India, political position of India in world and working on economic progress…He signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), with the United States (US), at the same time, he did not spoil his relation with Russia, while being cautious with China. Always keeping calm and stable is great politics…"

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