India and Poland Hold High-Level Talks in New Delhi
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar welcomed Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, to New Delhi on Monday. The two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on pressing global developments.
Advancing the Strategic Partnership
Dr. Jaishankar described the meeting as an open conversation covering multiple areas of cooperation. He emphasized the need to advance economic, technology, defence, and mining ties between the two nations. The Minister also highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections and multilateral cooperation.
"We reviewed the Action Plan 2024-28 today," Jaishankar stated. "This plan seeks to realize the full potential of our strategic partnership." The discussions specifically focused on trade and investment, defence and security, clean technologies, and digital innovation.
Robust Economic and Cultural Links
Poland stands as one of India's largest trading partners in Central Europe. Bilateral trade has reached approximately USD 7 billion, showing remarkable growth of nearly 200% over the past decade. Indian investments in Poland have exceeded USD 3 billion, creating numerous job opportunities for Polish citizens.
Dr. Jaishankar pointed to India's strong economic growth, substantial market size, and pro-investment policies as significant opportunities for Polish businesses. He also cherished the historical and cultural links, mentioning the Maharaja connection and the popularity of Indology and Yoga in Poland.
Addressing Global and Regional Concerns
The ministers exchanged assessments on regional and global developments. Dr. Jaishankar reiterated India's stance on the Ukraine conflict, expressing concerns over what he termed "unfair and unjustified selective targeting." He urged Poland to maintain a firm position of "zero tolerance for terrorism" and to avoid actions that could fuel terrorist infrastructure in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski acknowledged these concerns, noting Poland's own recent experiences with security threats. "Poland has been a victim of attempted state terrorism," he said, referencing a recent incident involving a Polish railway line.
Mutual Appreciation and Future Engagements
Dr. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Poland's support in fostering stronger India-EU relations. He welcomed the Polish delegation to India, noting the importance of their meeting during a period of considerable global uncertainty.
Sikorski thanked India for the invitation and mentioned his participation in the Jaipur Literature Festival. He highlighted that this visit marked his first to India since the establishment of the strategic partnership by both countries' prime ministers. Sikorski expressed hope for a future visit by the Polish Prime Minister to India and noted India's expanding diplomatic presence in Europe as a sign of serious engagement with the European Union.
The meeting underscored the warm, friendly relations between India and Poland, which have seen increased political engagement and expanding exchanges in recent years. Both sides committed to nurturing this strategic partnership through continued dialogue and cooperation.
