New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled for a one-day state visit to Poland on August 21 as part of his two-nation trip, which also includes a visit to Ukraine. The visit aims to strengthen ties with Poland, where India recently appointed a Defence Attaché after several decades. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland since Morarji Desai’s trip in 1979, following earlier visits by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
During his time in Warsaw, Modi is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk, according to government sources. In addition to these talks, Modi will pay tribute at memorials dedicated to the Maharajas of Jamnagar and Kolhapur, who provided refuge to thousands of Polish refugees during World War II, The Print reported.
Modi’s itinerary also includes visits to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Monte Cassino memorial, sites of historical significance where both Indian and Polish soldiers fought as part of the Allied forces during World War II. The Battle of Monte Cassino, one of the most challenging battles for Indian troops, saw Sepoy Kamal Ram of the 3/8 Punjab Regiment awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
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Why India-Poland ties strained
India and Poland’s bilateral ties, once strong in the 1970s, strained after fall of communism. However, PM Modi’s recent efforts aim to revive the relationship. India has appointed a Defence Attache to Poland and seeks to explore manufacturing collaborations.
Poland’s massive military modernisation and support for Ukraine make it an attractive partner. Despite ambitious recruitment plans, Poland struggles to staff its military units. India sees an opportunity to learn from Poland’s defence strategies and manufacturing policies. With Poland’s defence budget growing by 46 per cent between 2022-2023 and plans for further increases, India hopes to strengthen ties and enhance its own defence capabilities.