Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two day visit to Poland for two days starting Wednesday (August 21), marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over forty years. After Poland, he will travel to Ukraine. This trip is particularly significant given the current geopolitical tensions.
India and Poland have a long history of friendly relations, dating back to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1954. Both nations share a common stance against colonialism, imperialism, and racism, as noted by the Indian Embassy in Warsaw.
Historically, during World War II, Indian Maharajas provided refuge to Polish refugees. The Maharaja of Jamnagar (now Jamnagar, Gujarat) sheltered over 1,000 Polish refugees, mainly children, in a place called Balachadi. Similarly, a Polish refugee camp was established in Valivade, Kolhapur (now in Maharashtra) under the rule of Bhosale Chatrapati.
After the fall of Communism, Poland shifted its focus towards strengthening ties with the United States, which led to a decline in relations with India. Despite this, Poland has remained India’s largest trading and investment partner in Central and Eastern Europe, with bilateral trade increasing from $1.95 billion in 2013 to $5.72 billion in 2023. Additionally, around 10,000 to 15,000 Indians live and work in Poland across various sectors.
Modi’s visit to Poland is noteworthy as he is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit since Morarji Desai in 1979, and before him, Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955 and Indira Gandhi in 1967. During his visit, Modi will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw to discuss defense collaboration, trade, and strategic alignment. He will also engage with the Indian community in Poland and visit memorials dedicated to the Maharajas of Jamnagar and Kolhapur. Additionally, Modi is expected to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the memorial for the Battle of Monte Cassino, where Indian and Polish soldiers fought together during World War II.
This visit is particularly relevant in the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. India, maintaining a neutral stance in the conflict and emphasizing diplomacy and dialogue, has not criticized Russia despite its close ties with Moscow. Poland, a strong supporter of Ukraine and a NATO member, is increasing its defense spending, which aligns with India’s interest in enhancing military collaboration. Modi’s visit is expected to strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Poland and potentially elevate their ties to a new level.
