Jaishankar Says India-Poland Relations Earn 'Solid' Report Card as New Agreements Are Finalised

India and Poland are taking steps to further expand their strategic partnership, with the two countries working on a new set of agreements covering cybersecurity, space, clean coal, classified information and critical minerals. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the relationship has recorded strong progress in recent years, with growing cooperation in trade, investment and defence, while new opportunities are emerging in technology, artificial intelligence, digital innovation and space.

Speaking alongside Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in Warsaw, Jaishankar reviewed the progress of the India-Poland Joint Action Plan 2024–28. The plan was agreed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Poland and is aimed at giving greater momentum to bilateral cooperation across several sectors.

Jaishankar described the progress under the plan as encouraging, noting that India and Poland have witnessed an increase in trade and investment as well as deeper engagement in defence. He said traditional areas such as mining and energy continue to remain important, but the partnership is now expanding into newer fields including space, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and innovation.

The two countries are also working to strengthen the institutional framework supporting their relationship. Jaishankar said Foreign Office Consultations had recently taken place and that the Joint Commission had also met. A defence working group is expected to meet soon, adding another layer to the security partnership between New Delhi and Warsaw.

The proposed agreements in cybersecurity, space, classified information and critical minerals indicate how the bilateral relationship is evolving alongside changing global economic and security priorities. Critical minerals, in particular, have become increasingly important as countries seek more secure and diversified supply chains for advanced technology, renewable energy and other strategic industries.

India's expanding relationship with Poland also has a wider European dimension. Jaishankar highlighted Poland's role as an important member of the European Union and said the country's position could contribute to India's growing engagement with the bloc. India and the European Union have significantly strengthened their ties in recent years, with negotiations for a free trade agreement remaining a major focus. A potential agreement could create new opportunities for trade and investment while further connecting Indian businesses with European markets.

Jaishankar linked this growing engagement to the broader shift towards a more multipolar international order. As countries increasingly seek to reduce risks and diversify economic and strategic partnerships, India views the European Union as an important global pole. Poland's influence within the EU, he suggested, could help advance this broader relationship.

The discussions in Warsaw also covered major international and regional security issues. Jaishankar, who travelled to Poland after a visit to Kyiv, reiterated India's position that prolonged conflicts should ultimately give way to dialogue and diplomacy. He stressed that continuing wars bring additional casualties, destruction and economic costs, with their effects often extending far beyond the countries directly involved.

The Indian and Polish sides also exchanged views on developments in the Gulf, West Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Jaishankar pointed to the wider impact of geopolitical instability on global food, fuel and fertiliser supplies, as well as international supply chains. According to Jaishankar, India and Poland have an opportunity to work together on some of these challenges because both countries are democratic societies with market-based economies and open systems. Cooperation between them, he said, could contribute to discussions on issues shaping the global economy and international order.

The partnership is not limited to government-to-government cooperation. Cultural and youth exchanges are also being strengthened, with Jaishankar announcing that the second edition of the Jamsaheb Memorial Youth Exchange Programme will be held in October. He also welcomed the continued presence of Indology and Sanskrit programmes at Polish universities, highlighting the importance of people-to-people links alongside strategic cooperation.

Jaishankar met Polish President Karol Nawrocki and held detailed delegation-level discussions with Sikorski. The talks focused on strengthening the India-Poland Strategic Partnership and reviewing progress under the Joint Action Plan for 2024–28. With cooperation expanding into defence, technology, cybersecurity, space, critical minerals and clean energy, India-Poland relations are moving beyond traditional areas of engagement. The latest discussions suggest that New Delhi and Warsaw are seeking to build a broader and more institutionalised partnership that can respond to both bilateral priorities and changing global challenges.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.