Members of the Indian community in Lodz, Poland, are eagerly anticipating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Warsaw. Indians in Lodz commended PM Modi for his contributions to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday that PM Modi will officially visit Poland and Ukraine from August 21-23. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 45 years. Enthusiastic crowds waving Indian flags chanted “Modi Modi.”
In an interview with ANI, Rahul, a member of the Indian community, expressed their excitement and readiness to welcome PM Modi, praising his efforts in evacuating Indians from Ukraine during the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv in 2022.
Rahul said, “I welcome him with all my heart. We were waiting for PM Modi to visit Poland, as he used to visit other nations. And today that day has come and I welcome him with all my heart.”
He added, “After the war in Ukraine started, they had evacuated so many Indians who were trapped. Some of the people we knew were also evacuated. They had evacuated them through Operation Ganga. The evacuation was possible due to Modi Ji, otherwise, it would have been very difficult. Aaj Modi hai to mumkin hai.”
PM Modi’s visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Poland, which were established in 1954. This anniversary marks the opening of the Indian Embassy in Warsaw in 1957 and the Polish Embassy in New Delhi in 1954.
Another member of the Indian community, Jaimeel Bhatt said, “We are very excited and we will go to welcome him.”
Manoj Variani, an Indian community member, expressed his anticipation for PM Modi’s visit to Poland and praised him for his accomplishments in India.
He said, “I have been here for 25 years and I was waiting for PM Modi’s visit to Poland. Finally, he is visiting Poland and we welcome him. Modi Ji has made our country a lot better. I hope that Modi Ji remains in power for the next 10-20 years. We Indians live here very well. Modi Ji has done a very good job.”
Pawan Kumar, a member of the Indian community who has resided in Poland for the past 20 years, stated that they are eagerly anticipating PM Modi’s visit, describing it as “a great honour” for them.
He said, “I have been in Poland for past 20 years. I am very excited for PM Modi’s arrival. PM Modi has done very good work for the country. We want him to come here and strengthen the relations between Poland and India. We are proud of India’s development and the fact that India is becoming very famous in Poland. We are very proud that we are Indians. We are very happy that PM Modi is coming here and this is a great honour for us. We want him to come here and are very excited for his visit.”
On August 20, MEA Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal announced that PM Modi would be visiting Poland at the invitation of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, describing the visit as a “landmark visit”.
While addressing a special briefing on Monday, Tanmaya Lal said, “PM Narendra Modi will be undertaking an official visit to Poland this week on 21st and 22nd August on the invitation of PM Donald Tusk. This is a landmark visit as the PM of Indian is visiting Poland after 45 years. This visit takes place as we also mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations.”
“This historic visit in a landmark year for India and Polish relations will provide an opportunity to our leaders to review the bilateral relationship and offer guidance on enhancing this relationship in diverse areas and also discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest,” he added.
He reflected on the long-standing relationship between India and Poland, noting Poland’s support in evacuating Indian students from Ukraine during the 2022 conflict. He also mentioned a historical episode from the 1940s, when more than 6,000 Polish women and children were granted refuge in the princely states of Jamnagar and Kolhapur.
“Indian community in Poland estimated at around 25,000. This includes around 5,000 students. The government and people of Poland had offered valuable assistance during ‘Operation Ganga’ for the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine. More than 4,000 Indian students were evacuated via Poland in 2022. One of the unique bonds between our countries relates to the time in the 1940s during World War 2 when more than 6,000 Polish women and children found refuge in two princely states in India – Jamnagar and Kolhapur,” Tanmaya Lal said.
The MEA Secretary announced that during his visit, PM Modi will meet with his Polish counterpart and president, and will also engage with the Indian community in Poland. He will receive a ceremonial welcome in Warsaw. Following his visit to Poland, PM Modi will proceed to Ukraine.
