Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland and Ukraine continues Delhi's often-overlooked effort to elevate Europe's role in India's foreign policy over the past decade. It was noted that no Indian Prime Minister had visited Poland in the past 45 years or Ukraine in the past 31 years.
The timing of these visits, amid the ongoing two-and-a-half-year old Russia-Ukraine war, heightened the complexity and stakes for all involved, particularly for Indian policymakers.
They had to navigate both familiar and emerging challenges, as the conflict has become a central theme in the broader Russia-West struggle.
The key objective for the South Block was to strengthen mutual understanding and enhance cooperation with the visited countries while preserving the valuable relationship with Russia.
After engaging with the eastern side of the European order, PM Modi shared his insights on the Ukraine conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden.
Modi's historic visit to Poland
During PM Modi's visit to Poland, the focus was on enhancing government relations, business ties, historical connections, diaspora engagement, and people-to-people links.
Modi praised Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, saying, “You have been a good friend of India for a long time.” The joint statement from both leaders pledged to "realise the full potential of ties" between India and Poland and announced the creation of a “Strategic Partnership” to advance this goal.
He paid his tributes at the memorials for the monument of the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, known affectionately in Poland as 'Good Maharaja', Valivade-Kolhapur camp and the Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino in Warsaw.
In diplomatic terms, this goes beyond a standard expression; it signifies the beginning of a comprehensive effort to boost exchanges, interactions, and cooperation across various sectors. The aim is to "deepen bilateral, regional, and international cooperation for a more stable, prosperous, and sustainable world."
Several key aspects stand out in the joint statement. Firstly, both nations called for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, aligned with the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Secondly, Poland joined India in supporting a “free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific,” bolstering India’s and the Quad’s stance against China’s assertiveness.
Thirdly, the statement emphasised expanding cooperation in culture, education, science, research, and health. Lastly, the leaders introduced an Action Plan for 2024–2028, signalling a push for tangible results and receiving positive feedback from Poland's government and strategic community.
During his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly received by the Indian community in Warsaw. Modi emphasised the shared democratic values between India and Poland and commended the Indian Diaspora for strengthening bilateral ties and the success of Operation Ganga.
He encouraged the community to promote Indian tourism and announced the Jamsaheb Memorial Youth Exchange Program, which will annually bring 20 Polish youth to India.
Modi also praised Poland's past support during the Gujarat earthquake and outlined India's goals to become the third-largest economy and a developed nation by 2047, with a focus on advancing technology and clean energy cooperation.
Visit ignites diaspora's enthusiasm in Poland
PM Modi’s visit to Poland has sparked immense excitement within the Indian diaspora, highlighting the growing optimism about future relations between India and Poland. The visit has energised the community, reflecting their enthusiasm for enhanced bilateral ties and increased cooperation.
Speaking about the significance of PM Modi visit to Poland, Panchaxari Laxmeshwarmath said, “Poland, as a growing economy in Europe with strong industrial and agricultural sectors, offers opportunities for trade and investment. As per my understanding, India aims to boost bilateral trade with Poland, focusing on IT, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, to enhance its presence in Central and Eastern Europe. PM Modi's visit highlighted India's recognition of the Indian community's contributions and emphasised strengthening cultural and social ties. The visit underscores India's commitment to valuing Poland as a key European partner and enhancing diplomatic relations. This visit also emphasises the potential for increased economic collaboration and encourages Polish businesses to explore opportunities in India, particularly under initiatives like "Make in India" and "Digital India."
Business Head of FLEX FILMS EUROPA KFT, Sundeep Saksena said, “Poland has long served as a gateway for manufacturing economies entering the European Union, thanks to its favourable investment policies. However, Indians were initially not seen as potential investors. This perception began to shift with the change in India's political landscape, and Prime Minister Modi's visit has significantly boosted this shift. Polish awareness of India’s strengths has grown, particularly as Modi’s visit highlighted India’s role in supporting Ukraine, which had welcomed over a million refugees. This positive development has enhanced the prospects for the Indian community, though broader benefits remain to be fully realised.”
Speaking about PM Modi's speech personally, President of Gujarati Association in Poland, Pranav Nagar said, “The Prime Minister's speech was highly positive and inspiring, highlighting India's growth and future potential. It created a strong sense of pride and motivation within the diaspora. He emphasised that the Indian community abroad plays a crucial role in building India’s image and contributing to its development. According to his speech, we are not just representatives but ambassadors of India, showcasing its progress and potential. He also stressed the importance of supporting both the Polish economy and contributing to India's growth. The diaspora is now more motivated to promote India, explore business opportunities, and act as brand ambassadors for the country. The core message was about contributing economically and enhancing India’s global presence.”
He added, “I had a brief encounter with Pandit Jaishankar Ji as he was passing through the lobby. While I didn’t have an extensive interaction, I had been closely involved with the event, including catering for the community gathering and working at various locations where he was staying and where meetings were held. Even though our interaction was brief, shaking hands with him was memorable.”
Amit Lath, CEO & Managing Partner, Sharda Group of Companies and Vice President, Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce & Industry, described the atmosphere during PM Modi's event as truly breathtaking. He was struck by the Prime Minister's dynamic and insightful remarks about India, which many found eye-opening. He said, “A key takeaway was the concept of "Heal with India," which resonated deeply, particularly as the Polish government has shown interest in this idea. This initiative could see Indian professionals contributing their expertise in healthcare and other fields in Poland and beyond. Lath suggested shifting from the "Make in India" slogan to "Make with India," emphasising collaboration wherever products are made - be it in Poland, Ukraine, or the US. This approach aims to harness India's capabilities through meaningful partnerships.”
Amit highlighted a memorable moment from the event, noting that the Prime Minister's recognition of the Indian diaspora's crucial role during Operation Ganga was particularly impactful. He said, “This recognition provides great motivation to community members and the diaspora, affirming their contributions. During my interaction with the Prime Minister, there was an impressive aura of positivity as he entered the room. A group involved in Operation Ganga was invited for a photo opportunity, which served as a significant form of recognition. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, with chants of "Modi" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" echoing around. Another key takeaway was the emphasis on peace talks from the world’s largest democracy. The success of such initiatives in India suggests they could be effective in other countries as well.”
Balancing peace and cooperation in Ukraine
Following a 10-hour train journey from Poland, PM Modi arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, prepared to approach the challenging diplomatic mission with both sensitivity and clarity. It was his 80th overseas visit and amongst his shortest, as he was there just for nine hours.
His visit was strategically designed to underscore a message of peace, highlighting India's constructive role in a country severely impacted by the conflict since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
Upon arriving in Kyiv from Poland, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the multimedia Martyrologist Exposition on children, held at the National Museum of History of Ukraine.
Following a handshake, Modi embraced Zelenskyy warmly and, as they walked toward the multimedia Exposition, placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, symbolising solidarity with the leader of the war-torn nation.
After viewing the multimedia presentations, which detailed the deaths of many children during the conflict, Modi and Zelenskyy stood silently together in front of a wall-like structure adorned with numerous toys, serving as a tribute to the children.
Discussions between the leaders resulted in what appears to be a carefully negotiated joint statement. It records mutual interest in working towards “elevating bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future.”
The joint statement is built on two key pillars. The first focuses on the challenge of achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia. While the Indian Prime Minister publicly reiterated the need for peace through dialogue and diplomacy, underlying differences between Kyiv and New Delhi remained.
Ukraine seeks high-level Indian participation, ideally at the Prime Ministerial level, in the next summit. It views the joint communique on the Peace Framework, adopted at the previous summit in Switzerland, as a foundation for advancing efforts toward a just peace.
However, India has reservations about this, holding firmly that peace talks must include both warring parties at the negotiation table.
In his remarks to the media, President Zelensky was candid, urging India to halt its import of Russian oil. "If you stop importing oil, it will create significant challenges for Mr. Putin," he told Indian journalists. He further noted, "The issue is that Prime Minister Modi desires peace more than Putin does." Zelensky also expressed a keen interest in visiting India soon.
The joint statement outlines cooperation in defence, economic, scientific, technical, cultural, and people-to-people ties—areas that are generally non-controversial. While substantial progress in these fields is likely contingent on the war's resolution, new initiatives may be launched in the coming months.
Notably, both sides agreed to explore opportunities for Indian companies to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery "in a suitable manner," signalling a mutual eagerness to advance in this area.
Mediation talks
Leading up to and during the visits to both countries, Indian and international media were abuzz with speculation about whether PM Modi might be invited to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict—and whether he would accept such an offer.
The Indian side's remarks neither confirmed nor ruled out the possibility of mediation but consistently emphasised its support for a swift resolution of the conflict through peaceful negotiations. India has maintained that the war affects not only the warring parties but also has global repercussions, aligning with its long-standing position.
Peace negotiations must occur directly between Kyiv and Moscow, but other nations can assist in the process. PM Modi clearly stated that India, alongside other friendly countries, is prepared to offer "all possible support" to help end the war quickly. While some in India may harbour greater ambitions, Indian officials are guided by realism and a nuanced understanding of the geopolitical stakes.
