Amidst Poland's efforts to strengthen ties with Pakistan, India has firmly conveyed its expectation of "zero tolerance" for terrorism, emphasizing that Poland should not contribute to the "terrorist infrastructure" in India's neighborhood. This message was delivered by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to his Polish counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski, during a meeting in New Delhi on Monday.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of Sikorski's visit to Pakistan in October 2025, where he engaged in extensive talks with Pakistani officials, resulting in a joint statement that included the Kashmir issue. This move appears to have caused displeasure in New Delhi, especially considering the recent tensions between India and Pakistan. Jaishankar alluded to Sikorski's regional travels, stating that Poland is familiar with the challenges of cross-border terrorism. He urged Poland to exhibit "zero tolerance" for terrorism and avoid actions that could support terrorist infrastructure in the region.
Jaishankar also voiced concerns over what he termed the "selective targeting" of India regarding its relationship with Russia, a reference to criticism from Western nations about India's energy ties with Moscow. He stated that this "selective targeting" was "unfair and unjustified". Sikorski, while agreeing on the need to combat cross-border terrorism, also pointed out the "unfairness" and "selective targeting" concerning tariffs related to India's relations with Russia. He noted that Europe was also familiar with such practices.
Despite these points of contention, both ministers affirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Jaishankar highlighted the positive trajectory of India-Poland relations, noting a nearly 200% growth in bilateral trade over the past decade, reaching $7 billion. He also mentioned that Indian investments in Poland have exceeded $3 billion, creating numerous job opportunities for Polish citizens. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Poland in August 2024, during which the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership. The two ministers reviewed the Action Plan 2024-28, discussing ways to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, defense and security, clean technologies, and digital innovation.
Sikorski's visit to India occurred shortly before the anticipated announcement of the conclusion of negotiations for the India-EU free trade agreement and ahead of a visit by top EU leadership. This comes in the context of increasing engagements between India and Europe. While in Jaipur, Sikorski expressed satisfaction with India's reduced purchases of Russian oil. He also voiced concerns regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing that it poses a significant threat to Europe's broader security structure, and cautioned that Russia is providing North Korea with missile and nuclear technology. He urged Ukrainians to "remain strong" and "keep protecting their culture and freedom".
The exchange between the two ministers underscores the complexities of balancing geopolitical interests and the importance of addressing concerns related to terrorism and regional security. While Poland seeks to broaden its diplomatic and economic horizons, India is firm in its stance against terrorism and expects its partners to share this commitment.
