External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered pointed remarks during his meeting with Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski in New Delhi on Monday. He highlighted what he termed as "selective targeting" of India by the United States regarding tariffs.
Jaishankar Criticizes Unfair Tariff Policies
Jaishankar expressed India's disappointment with the US decision to impose 25% tariffs on Indian purchases of Russian oil. He emphasized that this move represents unfair treatment. The minister stated that India has faced similar selective targeting in other areas beyond just tariffs.
"I have repeatedly underlined that the selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified," Jaishankar told Sikorski during their bilateral discussions. He noted that he had previously raised these concerns during meetings in New York last September and Paris this January.
Poland Acknowledges Unfair Treatment
Sikorski, who also serves as Poland's Foreign Minister, agreed with Jaishankar's assessment of the situation. He recognized the "unfairness" and "selective targeting" in the context of tariffs related to India's relations with Russia.
Jaishankar responded by noting that the selective targeting extends beyond tariff issues alone. India currently faces 50% tariffs from the US, comprising 25% reciprocal tariffs and an additional 25% specifically related to Russian oil purchases.
Terrorism Concerns Raised
In unusually direct comments, Jaishankar raised concerns about Sikorski's visit to Pakistan last October. He cautioned Poland to maintain "zero tolerance for terrorism" and avoid actions that might "help fuel" terror infrastructure in India's neighborhood.
"Poland should display zero-tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood," Jaishankar stated firmly. He reminded Sikorski that Poland is familiar with the longstanding challenge of cross-border terrorism in the region.
Pakistan Visit Context
During Sikorski's Pakistan visit, he held talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Their discussions resulted in a joint statement that included references to the Kashmir issue. Jaishankar specifically mentioned wanting to discuss these recent travels during their Delhi meeting.
Bilateral Relations Review
The two ministers met at a time of global uncertainty, as Jaishankar noted. They reviewed the progress of India-Poland relations, which were elevated to Strategic Partnership status during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Poland in August 2024.
Jaishankar highlighted several positive aspects of the bilateral relationship:
- Bilateral trade stands at approximately $7 billion
- Trade has grown nearly 200% over the past decade
- Indian investment in Poland exceeds $3 billion
- The investments have created numerous job opportunities in Poland
Cooperation Areas Discussed
The ministers reviewed their bilateral Action Plan for 2024-28, focusing on multiple areas of cooperation:
- Trade and investment enhancement
- Defense and security collaboration
- Clean technology partnerships
- Digital innovation initiatives
Jaishankar emphasized that India's strong economic growth, large market size, and pro-investment policies present significant opportunities for Polish businesses seeking to expand their presence.
Cultural and Historical Ties
The ministers also discussed strengthening cultural and people-to-people connections. Jaishankar recalled the "Dobry Maharaja" memorial in Warsaw, which honors Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, the Jamsaheb of former Nawanagar.
During World War II, the Jamsaheb provided shelter to more than 1,000 Polish children. Prime Minister Modi paid tribute at this memorial during his Poland visit. Jaishankar noted that Indology studies continue to thrive in Poland, and yoga remains popular among Polish citizens.
Multilateral Cooperation
Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Poland's support in strengthening India-European Union relations. The discussions covered advancing cooperation in multiple sectors including technology, defense, mining, and multilateral engagements.
Sikorski is currently on a three-day visit to India, having visited Jaipur over the weekend before arriving in Delhi for ministerial talks.
