Modi, Tusk hold talks at Hyderabad House, aim to raise India-Poland trade to $10 billion

India and Poland held a key meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. In delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the two countries resolved to expand strategic, economic and technological cooperation.

On the Indian side, senior officials present included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. This indicates the importance attached to the talks.

Mr Tusk's official visit to India runs from October 21 to 23. It is the first visit by a Polish prime minister to India since 2010, and the visit was closely watched. Earlier, in August 2024, Mr Modi had visited Poland, when the two countries elevated their ties to a "Strategic Partnership".

The main focus of the meeting was on strengthening trade and economic ties. According to information from former officials of the Polish embassy in India, annual bilateral trade between the two countries is currently around $6 billion. A major plan has been drawn up to take it to $10 billion in the coming period.

With this aim, Poland's Minister of Development and Economy, Andrzej Domanski, and a large business delegation of leading industrialists have also arrived in India with Mr Tusk.

Besides trade, the two countries also agreed on expanding partnership in defence, technology, space research and energy. Combining India's fast-growing economy and Poland's strong position in the European Union, both countries want to be partners in each other's growth.

During his visit, Mr Tusk will take part in an India-Poland business forum in New Delhi. On October 23 he will travel to Bengaluru, regarded as the capital of India's IT and space sectors, where he will meet leading technology figures.

After arriving in New Delhi, the Polish Prime Minister first went to Rajghat and paid tribute by laying a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. Mr Jaishankar then met Mr Tusk separately. After the meeting, Mr Jaishankar posted on the social media platform X, praising the Polish Prime Minister's views and expressing confidence that the meeting would give fresh energy to the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In the present geopolitical situation, the friendship between India and Poland is considered highly significant. Deeper ties with Poland, an important friend of India in the European Union, will help strengthen India's hold in Central and Eastern Europe.