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Poland has a long history of supporting India, dating back to the conflict in Ukraine and even earlier during World War II. At the outset of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Poland facilitated the repatriation of Indian students and citizens. Similarly, during World War II, Jam Sahib of Navanagar offered refuge to thousands of Poles, saving them from Hitler’s concentration camps. This act of kindness is immortalized in Warsaw with a road named after Jam Sahib.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Poland holds significant importance. Poland, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, presents a unique opportunity for India to strengthen its ties with Eastern Europe. While the media spotlight will inevitably focus on the Ukraine crisis during the Prime Minister’s visit, the time spent in Poland is equally crucial.
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Poland played a pivotal role in supporting India during the Ukraine conflict in early 2022. Through “Operation Ganga,” over 18,000 Indian nationals, mostly students, were safely evacuated from Ukraine. The operation involved transporting students to Rzeszow airport in Poland and then back to India. It is worth mentioning that Romania, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia also lent a helping hand during this challenging time.
Prime Minister Modi has maintained strong relations with Poland, including a phone conversation with President Duda on March 1, 2022, where he expressed gratitude for Poland’s assistance during Operation Ganga. Additionally, Poland offered aid after the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, further showcasing their solidarity.
Bilaterally, trade between India and Poland is robust, amounting to approximately US$6 billion. Poland is India’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, and nearly 30 Polish companies have a presence in India, spanning various industries such as hygiene products, metal packaging, mining, and green energy. Indian investments in Poland reach around US$3 billion, fostering a conducive environment for enhanced economic cooperation.
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Poland’s IT industry is experiencing significant growth, with approximately 60,000 technology companies and ten “unicorns.” The country ranks fifth in the EU for the number of registered ICT companies. By the end of 2025, Poland’s ICT market is projected to surpass US$13 billion. This presents a valuable opportunity for India to contribute its support, manpower, and expertise, fostering mutually beneficial bilateral agreements.
The historical ties between India and Poland are deeply rooted. In October 2014, a plaque was unveiled in Warsaw’s Ochota District to honor Jam Sahib. Additionally, eight primary and secondary schools in Warsaw bear the name of Jam Saheb Digvijay. Polish scholars have a long history of Indological studies, translating ancient Sanskrit texts as early as the 19th century. The Jagiellonian University of Krakow, Poland’s oldest university, established a chair of Sanskrit in 1893. The bond forged with Polish refugees who settled in India during the 1940s is commemorated with a plaque set up in Warsaw in November 2017 to remember the Kolhapur-Valivade camp.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Poland strengthens the historical and contemporary relevance of bilateral ties. Strategically, the visit offers India valuable insights into Eastern Europe and the situation in Ukraine. This engagement with Central Europe lays the foundation for enhanced economic and security cooperation, solidifying India’s presence in the region.
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Mexican painter Diego Rodarte’s paintings exhibited in HCM City
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