Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Poland and emphasized the importance of diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Modi expressed India's support for dialogue and diplomatic solutions to restore peace and stability promptly. During his meeting with Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, both leaders highlighted India's potential role in resolving the conflict on Poland's eastern border.
Poland, situated on the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, has been actively supporting Ukraine politically, humanitarianly, and militarily. Modi and Tusk discussed security issues, the conflict in Ukraine involving India's strategic partner Russia, and ways to enhance bilateral relations.
The visit, commemorating 70 years of official bilateral relations, elevated the ties to a strategic level, focusing on cooperation in IT, security, and defense sectors. An agreement was signed to facilitate the movement of specialized workers between the two countries.
India considers Poland a key economic partner in Central Europe, with bilateral trade increasing significantly over the past decade. The total value of trade surged from $1.95 billion to $5.72 billion between 2013 and 2023, with India's exports dominating the trade balance.
Modi's upcoming visit to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy follows his recent trip to Moscow, where he met with President Putin. Despite criticism from Kyiv for not condemning Russia, Modi has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Previous high-level visits between India and Poland, including President Pratibha Patil's trip in 2009 and Prime Minister Tusk's visit to India in 2010, have strengthened bilateral ties. The current visit underscores the commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation across various sectors.