Conflict in Ukraine and West Asia are deeply worrisome: PM Modi in Warsaw

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 22  

Hours ahead of his visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday termed the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West-Asia, “deeply worrisome”.

India, he said, wants peace and stability. “We support dialogue and diplomacy. For this, India will join hands with its friendly countries to provide all possible support”.

Modi and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk were addressing the media in Warsaw following a bilateral meet.

The Indian PM reiterated what he said in the past: “India firmly believes there is no solution to any issue on battlefield”.

Modi decried the loss of lives saying, “In any crisis, the loss of innocent lives has become a challenge for entire human kind”.

Polish PM Donald Tusk said, “India can play vital role in Ukraine”.

Tusk added, “India and Poland have no dispute with each other. We understand each other despite the geographic distance and diverse cultures. History has taught us to respect borders and rule of law.”

“The two sides spoke on cooperation in the defence industry and we have possibilities to collaborate. Poland is ready to participate in make in India as we have the expertise and technological prowess”.

In March 2024, the Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) listed Poland as the world’s 14^th largest exporter of weapons, with Ukraine, Sweden and India being its top three clients.

Modi on his part said defence sector cooperation is a signal of our deep trust. “We should increase this”, he added.

The PM thanked Poland for the help during the evacuation of Indian students from war-hit Ukraine. He asked Polish industries to join in by investing in mega food parks in India.

For skilled workers and to increase mobility, the two sides agreed on social security agreement.

In January 2025, Poland will be chair of European Union and Modi hoped that would help India-EU relations.  

Modi also announced a youth exchange pogramme named after Jam Saheb of Nawanagar. Each year, 20 youth form Poland will be taken to India for a tour

“We both agree that reforms in the United Nations and international institutions are the need of the hour to face global challenges. Terrorism is a big challenge for us,” Modi said.

India and Poland also agreed to work on green future by combining capabilities.

Bilateral trade between the two countries is US $6 billion, which makes Poland India’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Indian investments into Poland are estimated at around US $3 billion, while the Polish investments into India are around US $1 billion. A number of Indian companies have active business presence in Poland. And they are engaged in a range of sectors, from IT to pharmaceuticals to manufacturing to farm vehicles to electronics, steel, metals and chemicals. Nearly 30 Polish companies have business presence in India.

PM Modi will pay homage at ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in the evening. He will leave for Ukraine later at night.