External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Monday held talks with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski in New Delhi, reviewing the expanding India–Poland Strategic Partnership and exchanging views on key regional and global developments.
Welcoming the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and his delegation, Dr. Jaishankar said the meeting was taking place at a time of considerable global churn and underlined the importance of exchanging perspectives between countries located in different regions. He noted that while bilateral ties have progressed steadily, they require continuous engagement.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Poland have traditionally shared warm and friendly relations, marked in recent years by high-level political exchanges and growing economic and people-to-people ties. The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland in August 2024.
Dr. Jaishankar said the two sides would review the Action Plan 2024–28 aimed at fully realising the potential of the Strategic Partnership. Discussions are expected to cover cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, clean technologies, and digital innovation.
Highlighting economic ties, the External Affairs Minister noted that Poland is among India’s largest trading partners in Central Europe, with bilateral trade standing at around USD 7 billion. He said trade between the two countries has grown by nearly 200 per cent over the past decade. Indian investments in Poland have crossed USD 3 billion, contributing to employment generation in the country, while India’s strong economic growth and pro-investment policies offer significant opportunities for Polish businesses.
The two leaders also discussed enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Dr. Jaishankar referred to the historical connection symbolised by the ‘Dobry Maharaj’ and recalled his interaction with Polish youth under the Jamsaheb Memorial Youth Exchange Programme. He noted that Indology continues to thrive in Poland and that yoga enjoys wide popularity.
On regional and global issues, Dr. Jaishankar said the conversation would include an exchange of assessments on developments in their respective neighbourhoods. Referring to earlier discussions with the Polish leader in New York and Paris, he reiterated India’s position on the Ukraine conflict and its broader implications.
“I have also repeatedly underlined that the selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified,” Dr. Jaishankar said.
“Deputy Prime Minister, you are no stranger to our region and are certainly familiar with the longstanding challenge of cross-border terrorism. I hope to discuss some of your recent travels to the region during this meeting. Poland should display zero tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood,” External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said.
Responding to the Polish Deputy Prime Minister’s opening remarks, Dr. Jaishankar said that selective targeting was not limited to tariffs alone and extended to other areas as well, adding that the issue would be discussed further during the talks.
