India, Poland to expand cooperation to `Strategic Partnership’

India and Poland have decided to expand economic cooperation, especially in sectors such as technology, agriculture, connectivity, mining, energy, and environment, while making full use of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation. 

The decision was taken at a meeting of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk during Modi’s official visit to Poland from 21 to 22 August. 

Both leaders acknowledged the growing importance of expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of digitisation, including in cybersecurity, to enhance stability and trust between the two countries. 

The leaders also agreed to make efforts for achieving balance in bilateral trade while expanding the trade basket.

Towards this, the two prime ministers stressed the need for improvement in connectivity between two countries and the two regions. 

Both countries also emphasised the need for increase in the number of direct flights between the two countries in order to improve connectivity. They also discussed ways of strengthening maritime cooperation, and the setting up of infrastructure corridors. 

The two leaders also touched upon the need for India and the European Union working together with a common interest of ensuring security, prosperity and sustainable development in a multi-polar world.

They reaffirmed their commitment to peace and rules-based international order with the UN Charter at its core and decided to enhance collaboration at multilateral forums to promote rules-based international order and maintain global security.

India and Poland also agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense sector even as they fully utilize existing mechanisms like Joint Working Group.

The two countries see cooperation in the sphere of security in all dimensions is vital in the context of existing and emerging conflicts in various regions. 

Expressing concern over the tragic humanitarian consequences of war raging in Ukraine, the two leaders called for a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution for the conflict in line with international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

The war in Ukraine, they noted, has its negative impact with regard to global food and energy security, especially for the Global South.