Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to Poland on August 21 and 22 this year. This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland in 45 years, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship. The visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
India and Poland share a deep-rooted friendship, characterized by high-level political contacts and robust economic engagement. Their shared commitment to democracy and pluralism further strengthens their ties. Poland is a key economic partner for India in Central Europe, with a strong foundation for bilateral trade and investment.
The relationship between India and Poland goes back to World War II, when over 6,000 Polish women and children found refuge in the princely states of Jamnagar and Kolhapur in India. The Jamsaheb of Nawanagar, Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, provided shelter to over a thousand Polish children in his state, and many others found refuge in a large camp in Kolhapur. This historical connection is meticulously commemorated by both countries, symbolizing a deep bond of friendship and shared history.
Over the years, there have been numerous high-level visits between India and Poland. Indian presidents V.V. Giri, Zail Singh, and S.D. Sharma, and Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Morarji Desai have visited Poland. From the Polish side, Presidents Lech Walesa and Alexander Kwasniewski, and Prime Ministers Cyrankiewicz, Jaroszewicz, and Leszek Miller have visited India. The last Prime Ministerial visit from India was in June 1979 by Morarji Desai.
The two countries have also seen active engagement at the ministerial level. In 2019, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Poland, the first such visit in 32 years. The same year, Marcin Przydacz, Under Secretary of State for Poland, visited India for the inauguration of LOT Polish Airlines’ direct flight on the Warsaw–Delhi sector. More recently, Bartoszewski, Secretary of State for Poland, visited India in February 2024, participating in the Raisina Dialogue and the CII India-Europe Business & Sustainability Conclave.
The economic partnership between India and Poland is also flourishing. Poland is India’s largest trading and investment partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Bilateral trade in FY 2023-24 reached USD 5.72 billion, with Indian exports to Poland at USD 3.96 billion and imports at USD 1.76 billion.
Indian investment in Poland exceeds USD 3 billion, while Polish investment in India is over USD 685 million. Notable Indian companies present in Poland include ArcelorMittal, Videocon, Escorts, Strides Arcolab, Ranbaxy, Essel Propack, KPIT Cummins, Zensar Technologies Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies Ltd, Infosys, Wipro, Jindal Stainless, Berger Paints India, UFLEX, and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. Polish companies like Toruńskie Zakłady Materiałów Opakunkowych (TZMO), Can-Pack Poland, Geofizyka Toruń, Famur Group, and Ekolog have established a strong presence in India.
Both countries have identified areas for future collaborations, including infrastructure, mining and energy, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, textiles, engineering, and agro-food processing. There is also potential for cooperation in start-ups, particularly in technology hubs.
Beyond trade and investment, India and Poland share strong people-to-people ties. The study of Indology, Sanskrit, Indian languages, literature, and culture is actively pursued in Poland, particularly at universities like the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, the University of Warsaw, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, and the University of Wrocław.
Ayurveda, Yoga, and the traditional Indian system of medicine have gained significant recognition and practice in Poland. An estimated 25,000 Indians reside in Poland, and the number of Indian students pursuing studies at Polish universities is steadily increasing, with around 5,000 students currently enrolled.
Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Poland signifies the enduring friendship and growing partnership between the two nations. It promises to be a fruitful engagement, further strengthening the bilateral relationship and exploring new avenues for collaboration in various sectors. The visit will be a testament to the shared commitment of India and Poland to fostering a strong and mutually beneficial partnership.
