PM Modi and Polish PM Donald Tusk agree to boost strategic, trade and defence ties
Donald Tusk praises India's rising global stature and economic momentum during high-level summit in New Delhi.
What happened in the Modi-Tusk bilateral meeting
India and Poland agreed to expand cooperation in defence, space, nuclear energy, and trade during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday.
The two leaders held delegation-level discussions to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership, which was formally established during PM Modi's visit to Warsaw in August 2024. Donald Tusk, who is on a three-day official visit to India from October 21 to 23, praised India's rising global role and economic trajectory, calling PM Modi a "beacon of hope" in times of global instability.
Highlighting the economic opportunities ahead, PM Modi noted that the proposed India-European Union Free Trade Agreement would broaden trade and commercial engagement between the two nations.
Strategic cooperation and bilateral goals
The discussions covered enhanced collaboration across technology, culture, education, sports, and tourism, alongside discussions on reforming global governance institutions and supporting peace efforts in West Asia and Ukraine.
Former Polish ambassador to India Adam Burakowski stated that both nations aim to expand annual bilateral trade from approximately $6 billion to $10 billion, with defence and space technology serving as key pillars of growth.
| Metric / Area | Target or Status | Key Primary Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bilateral trade target | $10 billion | Adam Burakowski statement |
| Current annual trade | Approximately $6 billion | Former Polish envoy figure |
| Strategic partnership status | Established August 2024 | Joint statement by PM Modi and Tusk |
| Key cooperation sectors | Defence, space, nuclear energy, IT | Official bilateral agenda |
Diplomatic relations and global leadership
Addressing a joint press conference, Tusk emphasized the deep alignment between India and Poland, noting that the two countries share no conflicts of interest or historical disputes. He drew parallels between Poland's Solidarity movement and India's founding principles of non-violence, adding that PM Modi's leadership offers global stability during uncertain times.
Tusk noted that both nations have achieved remarkable economic dynamism over the past 35 years, stating that the world looks upon India's economic development with admiration.
PM Modi highlighted the historic ties connecting the two nations, recalling how the Indian royal families of Jamnagar and Kolhapur provided refuge to thousands of Polish children and families during the Second World War.
Key officials and what happens next
The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Tusk was accompanied by Poland's Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domanski and a delegation of business leaders.
Tusk paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat earlier on Thursday and met with Jaishankar to discuss deepening sector-specific ties. His itinerary includes addressing the India-Poland Business Forum in New Delhi before traveling to Bengaluru on October 23 to engage with top leaders from India's information technology and space industries.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Current annual bilateral trade | Approximately $6 billion | Former Polish ambassador to India Adam Burakowski |
| Target bilateral trade | $10 billion | Former Polish ambassador to India Adam Burakowski |
| Strategic partnership establishment | August 2024 | Joint statement by PM Modi and Donald Tusk |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Narendra Modi | Prime Minister of India who led talks with Poland |
| Donald Tusk | Prime Minister of Poland visiting India |
