PM Modi’s Historic Visits to Poland and Ukraine: A Step Towards Peace

New Delhi, August 20: Poland’s Charge d’Affaires, Sebastian Domzalski, has expressed his happiness over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visits to Poland and Ukraine. These visits, amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, are seen as a powerful signal that India stands for peace, dialogue, and the sovereignty of nations.

Significance of the Visits

Domzalski emphasized the importance of PM Modi’s visit, stating, “We are really happy that Prime Minister Modi has decided to visit Poland. But we are also glad that he will be combining this visit to Poland with a visit to Ukraine, our neighbor, which is defending its borders against unlawful aggression.”

He added, “This visit by Prime Minister Modi at this important time will send a powerful signal to the global community that India stands for peace, dialogue, negotiations, the UN Charter, and sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Focus Areas in Poland

During his visit to Poland, PM Modi will focus on three priority areas: technology, security, and defense. Domzalski noted that Poland has transformed its economy over the past 30-35 years and is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union.

“If Prime Minister Modi visits Poland, he will see that we also talk a lot about ‘Vikas’ (development) and ‘Pragati’ (progress) in Poland. Technology will be a key focus, as will security, given the current situation in Europe,” Domzalski said.

India’s Role in Global Peace

Domzalski described India as a “voice of the world” and emphasized its rising importance on the global stage. He highlighted PM Modi’s recent remarks during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Modi stated that solutions cannot be found on the battlefield and that peace talks cannot succeed amid bombs, guns, and bullets.

Economic Cooperation

Economic cooperation between India and Poland will be a significant focus during PM Modi’s visit. Domzalski mentioned that there has been a significant increase in Indian investments in Poland, particularly in sectors like BPO and IT. He also noted the growing interest from Polish companies in investing in India.

Historical Ties and People-to-People Connections

Domzalski highlighted the historical ties between India and Poland, recalling how Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja provided refuge to thousands of Polish refugees during World War II. He mentioned that Jam Saheb is known as the “Good Maharaja” in Poland and that there are several initiatives to keep this story alive.

UN Security Council Reform

Regarding Poland’s support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Domzalski said, “We agree that India, being the most populous country in the world, should be a permanent member of the UN Security Council. We need to reform the Security Council, and we hope that after the reform, the voices of countries that are currently underrepresented will be heard.”

Meeting with the Indian Diaspora

Domzalski also mentioned that the Indian diaspora in Poland is looking forward to meeting PM Modi and highlighted their significant contribution to the Polish economy.

Visit to Ukraine

Domzalski noted that PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine is also a very significant and powerful signal. He emphasized India’s role in bridging gaps and resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier in July, PM Modi visited Russia for an official visit, where he held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. India has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy as the path to resolving the ongoing war against Ukraine.