Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Warsaw, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland in 45 years. This significant visit, the first since Morarji Desai’s trip in 1979, is part of a two-nation tour that will also take PM Modi to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.
Upon landing in Warsaw, PM Modi was welcomed with a ceremonial reception. During his stay, he is scheduled to meet with President Andrzej Sebastian Duda and engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The visit underscores the growing relationship between India and Poland, particularly as the two nations celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations.
A key aspect of PM Modi’s itinerary includes visits to memorials in Warsaw dedicated to the 6,000 Polish women and children who found refuge in India during World War II, specifically in the princely states of Jamnagar and Kolhapur. He is also set to address the Indian community in Poland, which numbers around 25,000, as well as select Polish business leaders and noted Indologists.
PM Modi’s connection with Poland extends beyond this visit, having met Prime Minister Tusk four times during his tenure as President of the European Council. In March 2022, Modi had a telephonic conversation with President Duda, expressing gratitude for Poland’s role in assisting the evacuation of over 4,000 Indian citizens from Ukraine during the conflict, including the relaxation of visa requirements for those crossing into Poland.
Before his departure, PM Modi highlighted the importance of this visit, stating, “My visit to Poland comes as we mark 70 years of our diplomatic relations. Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe.”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the substantial bilateral trade between India and Poland, which amounts to approximately USD 6 billion, making Poland India’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Indian investments in Poland are estimated at around USD 3 billion, with Polish investments in India around USD 1 billion. The sectors of engagement range from IT, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing to electronics, steel, and chemicals, with nearly 30 Polish companies having a presence in India.
Direct flights between India and Poland, launched in 2019, have further bolstered economic and commercial ties, as highlighted by MEA Secretary Tanmaya Lal.
Following his engagements in Poland, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Kyiv on August 23, where he will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
