Modi and Tusk elevate relations between India and Poland
India and Poland on Thursday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership as Prime Minister Modi and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk held bilateral talks. India and Poland on Thursday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk discussed ways to enhance cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, and digitalisation.
Modi was the first Indian prime minister to visit Poland in 45 years, and the visit signalled India’s intent to revitalise ties with the European Union’s (EU) sixth-largest economy and an emerging military power in Central Europe.
Four-year action plan for strategic partnership ready
Apart from preparing a four-year action plan for strategic partnership, which covers security cooperation, trade, technology, connectivity, counter-terrorism, cyber-security and health, the two sides decided to finalise a social security agreement to protect the interests of professionals working in each other’s countries and promote mobility.
This year, we are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, we have decided to elevate our relations to a strategic partnership. Modi, speaking to the media in Hindi after his talks with Tusk, said the ties between India and Poland are based on shared values such as democracy and rule of law.
Determination to cooperate in many areas
Tusk said the upgrade of ties is not just about definition but about “determination and readiness to cooperate in many areas”. Apart from India, Poland’s other strategic partners in Asia are China, Japan and South Korea.
Modi described the close cooperation in defence as a “symbol of our deep mutual trust” and said cooperation in this area will be strengthened. Tusk said there are many opportunities for real synergy between the defence industries of the two sides. “Poland is ready to participate in the modernisation of military equipment. We have the qualifications, companies and technical capabilities for this,” he said.
The agreement underscores mutual interests and aims to strengthen bilateral relations, fostering greater collaboration on global issues such as climate change and regional security. The strategic partnership reflects the growing importance of India and Poland’s relationship on the international stage, signaling a commitment to closer political, economic, and cultural ties.
Polish companies to join mega food parks in India
Modi invited Polish companies, world leaders in food processing, to join mega food parks in India and pointed to new opportunities for cooperation in water treatment, solid waste management and urban infrastructure. He said clean coal technology, renewable energy and AI could be other areas of cooperation.
Modi said India can also share its expertise in fintech, pharmaceuticals and space. Tusk said Poland has a lot to offer to India in the field of green transformation and green energy. When Modi expressed his understanding of the temporary difficulties faced by Indian citizens wishing to travel to Poland, the Polish side said the problem was not limited to India alone.
Work to ease visa rules
The delay has been caused by wrong decisions of the previous government. Work is underway to ease visa rules.
Prime Minister Modi also announced that India and Poland have decided to transform their relations into a strategic partnership.
Said he and Tusk have agreed on a number of issues to give a new direction to India-Poland relations. This year, we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. On this occasion, we have decided to transform the relationship into a strategic partnership, PM Modi said at a press briefing in Warsaw. PM Modi expresses concern over Ukraine, Gaza conflict
The Prime Minister further said, “Relations between India and Poland are based on shared values such as democracy and rule of law. Today we have identified several initiatives to give a new direction to the relationship. As two democratic countries, the exchange of views between our parliaments should be encouraged. Work will be done to engage the private sector to broaden economic cooperation.
The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are a matter of deep concern for all of us. India firmly believes that no conflict can be resolved on the battlefield. The loss of innocent lives in any crisis has become the biggest challenge for the entire humanity. We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. For this, India is ready to provide all possible cooperation along with its friendly countries.
Conclusion
Thank you for understanding these actions. Of course, these are in no way aimed at India or Indian citizens. Here we are confident that Indian guests will always be welcomed in Poland,” Tusk said. said.
Under the strategic partnership, the two sides will maintain regular high-level contacts, promote trade and investment and take steps to balance two-way trade and expand the trade basket. Bilateral trade currently stands at $6 billion, making Poland India’s largest trading partner in Central Europe.
