Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Chancellery in Warsaw, Poland on Thursday (August 22, 2024).
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 22, 2024) voiced “deep concern” over the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, saying India firmly believes that no problem can be solved on the battlefield and that it supports dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability.

He made the remarks in a joint press statement after his meeting with Polish counterpart Donald Tusk, during which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and decided to elevate the bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership.

Also Read: PM Modi attempts a tricky balance in Kyiv, as U.S. and Russia watch closely

“The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia are a matter of deep concern for all of us. India firmly believes that no problem can be solved on the battlefield,” Mr. Modi said.

Mr. Modi, who will travel to Ukraine tonight at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that the loss of innocent lives in any crisis has become the biggest challenge for all of humanity.

“We support dialogue and diplomacy for the early restoration of peace and stability. For this, India, along with its friendly countries, is ready to provide all possible support,” he added.

Mr. Modi thanked Prime Minister Tusk for his invaluable efforts to strengthen the India-Poland friendship, saying they are “truly commendable”.

He also thanked him for playing an important role in facilitating the evacuation of Indian students from war-torn Ukraine in 2022.

Prime Minister Modi said that India and Poland have also been moving forward in close coordination on the international stage.

“We both agree that reform of the United Nations and other international institutions is the need of the hour to face global challenges,” he said.

He also invited Polish companies to join ‘Make in India’ initiative.

“Today is a day of special significance in the relations between India and Poland. Today after forty-five years an Indian Prime Minister has visited Poland,” he said.

PM Modi arrived in Poland on Wednesday (August 21, 2024) for the first leg of his two-nation visit, during which he will also travel to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

His visit to Poland is the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in the past 45 years.

PM Modi received a ceremonial red carpet welcome at the Chancellery before the talks.

“A new landmark in the India-Poland partnership! PM @narendramodi was warmly received by PM @donaldtusk of Poland at the Federal Chancellery in Warsaw and accorded a ceremonial welcome. This visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland after 45 years will impart fresh momentum to the India-Poland partnership,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

“Finally. After 45 years! Prime Minister Narendra Modi, good to see you in Warsaw,” Mr. Tusk posted on X.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands after a press conference at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw, Poland, August 22, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted on Thursday (August 22, 2024) by his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk before heading to Kyiv for top-level meetings.

Mr. Modi and Mr. Tusk met for talks on security, the war on Ukraine by India’s strategic partner Russia, and invigorating bilateral ties. They were expected to make statements, and later the Indian leader is to meet with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda.

Ahead of his visit, Mr. Modi said Poland was India’s key economy partner in Central Europe.

The two leaders are expected to sign bilateral strategic cooperation agreements covering cybersecurity and the defence sector.

Sitting on the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, Poland is concerned about the two-year-old war across its eastern border. It’s offered political, humanitarian and defense support to Ukraine.

Kyiv chastised Mr. Modi for a visit to Moscow last month, during which he met and hugged President Vladimir Putin. Modi has avoided condemning Russia while emphasizing a peaceful settlement to the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the meeting as a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.” He also chided Mr. Modi for hugging Mr. Putin during their meeting.

Mr. Modi’s visit to Poland also marks 70 years of official bilateral relations between New Delhi and Warsaw.

According to figures cited by the Embassy of India, the total value of bilateral trade increased from $1.95 billion to $5.72 billion from 2013-2023, with India’s exports accounting for a majority.

Then-Indian President Pratibha Patil visited Poland in 2009, and Mr. Tusk, during his first term as Prime Minister, paid a visit to India in 2010.

On Friday, Mr. Modi travels to Kyiv to meet with Mr. Zelensky.

On the eve of his visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India was a supporter of peace in this region as he reiterated that “this is not an era of war” and any conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.

Addressing the Indian diaspora in the Polish capital, Mr. Modi also said that India had a policy for decades to maintain distance from all the countries. However, the policy of today’s India is to remain close to all the countries, he added, amid chants of Modi-Modi.

“India is the land of Lord Buddha’s legacy. Therefore, India is an advocate of permanent peace in this region. India’s concept is clear – this is not an era of war… India believes in dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflict,” Mr. Modi told the gathering.

His remarks comes ahead of his trip to Kyiv – the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Ukraine since the country became independent in 1991.

Mr. Modi, who is visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said that he will share with the Ukrainian leader perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

His visit to Kyiv comes nearly six weeks after his high-profile trip to Moscow, which triggered criticism from the US and some of its Western allies.

“Today’s India wants to connect with all. Today’s India talks about the development of all. Today’s India is with all and thinks about the interests of all,” Mr. Modi said.

He said that if any country faces a crisis, India is the first country to extend a helping hand. “When Covid came, India said – Humanity first. We sent medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries of the world. Wherever there is an earthquake or any disaster, India has only one mantra – Humanity first,” he said.

Mr. Modi said India’s entire focus is on quality manufacturing and quality manpower, which are very crucial for the global supply chain. “In Budget 2024, we have focused a lot on ensuring youth skilling and job creation, and we want to turn India into a centre of education, research and innovation,” he said.

Mr. Modi recalled that Poland was one of the first countries to assist when Gujarat was hit by an earthquake two decades ago.

“People of Poland have given a lot of love and respect to Jam Saheb and his family members, and the Good Maharaja Square is a testimony of that. Today, I have visited the Dobry Maharaja Memorial and Kolhapur Memorial. On this occasion, I want to announce that India has decided to launch the Jam Saheb Memorial Youth Action programme,” he said.

Under this programme, India will invite 20 Polish youths annually to visit India.

Mr. Modi said he also paid tribute at the Monte Cassino memorial, which reminds the sacrifice of thousands of Indian soldiers. “This is a proof of how Indians have performed their duty in every corner of the world,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that India of the 21st century is moving ahead on the path of development while priding itself on its values and heritage.

“We Indians are known for our efforts, actions and empathy. Wherever we go, we Indians can be seen making maximum efforts. Be it entrepreneurship, caregivers or our service sector, Indians are bringing laurels to the country through their efforts,” he said.

Mr. Modi said that India and Poland have a lot of similarities. “One of them is democracy. India is not just the mother of democracy, but also a participative and vibrant democracy. People of India have a lot of confidence in democracy, and this was evident in the recent (Lok Sabha) elections,” he said, highlighting that these polls were the biggest elections in history.

“Recently, elections were also held in the European Union in which 180 million voters participated. In India, this number was 640 million,” he said.

Mr. Modi said he has promised that in his third term, India will become the third largest economy in the world.

“NASSCOM estimates that India will become a trillion dollar economy by the end of this decade due to its digital infrastructure,” he told the crowd.

He said that India’s wisdom is global and its vision is global. “We have considered the entire world as one family and this is visible in the policies and decisions of today’s India,” he said.

He said that balance between economy and ecology is India’s priority today.

“It is only India which is moving ahead with both the resolutions of a developed nation and Net zero nation together,” he said.

He also said that India will soon establish its space station.

Mr. Modi thanked the people of Poland for the warm welcome that he received. “Over the past one week, a lot has been discussed in the media about Poland and its people. It was also said that this is the first time in 45 years that an Indian PM is visiting Poland,” he said.

He also thanked the Polish government for support during operation Ganga, especially by giving visa waivers to Indians.

Mr. Modi also praised the Polish Kabaddi team for its achievements.