PM Modi Poland Visit: PM Narendra Modi arrived in Poland on Tuesday, on the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister in the last 45 years, to underline increased bilateral cooperation between India and Poland and focus a spotlight on fast-changing geopolitics of Central and Eastern Europe. PM Modi‘s Warsaw visit is a first leg to the two-nation tour, which will include a trip to Kyiv in Ukraine later this week.
Ceremonial Welcome in Warsaw for PM Modi’s Historic Visit
PM Modi was given a warm ceremonial welcome upon arrival in Warsaw. He is scheduled to call on the President Andrzej Sebastian Duda and hold bilateral talks with the Prime Minister Donald Tusk during his stay. It is expected that he will discuss matters of furthering economic and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
PM Modi’s Tribute to Polish Women and Children Sheltered in India
Not less important in PM Modi’s visit is his participation in ceremonies related to historical refuge for Polish women and children during WWII. During the 1940s, over 6,000 Polish refugees were taken care of in camps in Indian princely states of Jamnagar and Kolhapur—a gesture that remains a poignant chapter in their shared history. The visit of PM Modi to these memorials will be a befitting tribute to this historic act of compassion.
Apart from official meetings and commemorations, PM Modi will engage with the Indian community in Poland, numbering around 25,000, as also a few chosen Polish business leaders and leading Indologists. Such interaction will go a long way in strengthening the economic and cultural relations between India and Poland.
PM Modi Thanks Poland for Evacuation Efforts During Ukraine Conflict
While PM Modi’s outreach to his Polish counterpart is not an entirely new proposition, on a telephonic conversation in March 2022 during the Ukraine conflict, PM Modi expressed gratitude for the support rendered by Poland toward evacuating Indian nationals and relaxing the requirement for visas for those crossing over from the conflict zone. More than 4,000 Indian students were brought out through Poland in 2022.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, bilateral relations between India and Poland are based on strong trade. The bilateral trade is of almost $6 billion with Poland being the largest trading partner of India in Central and Eastern Europe. It’s said that Indian investments in Poland amount to roughly $3 billion, with Polish investments in India totaling around $1 billion. After visiting Poland, PM Modi will travel to Kyiv on 23 August for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, cementing India’s role in the region amid persisting challenges across the world.