India strengthens ties with central Europe as PM Modi visits Poland and Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-day visit to Poland and Ukraine from August 21 to 23, marking a significant milestone in foreign relations. The visit will make him the first Indian Prime Minister to travel to Poland in 45 years and the first to visit Ukraine.

PM Modi’s visit follows his trip to Austria in July, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years, further reinforcing India’s presence in the region. With the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, maintaining diplomatic relations in Europe is crucial, and PM Modi’s recent visit to Russia highlights India’s role in advocating for peace through diplomacy.

Poland, a close ally of NATO and Ukraine, has played a key role in supporting Ukraine during the conflict. As a member of the European Union, Poland is an important partner for India. In 2023, India’s trade with the EU reached €124 billion, making the EU India’s largest trading partner. Over the last decade, trade between India and the EU has grown by 90%, with Poland becoming India’s largest investment and trading partner in Central Europe.

India and Poland are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2024, with bilateral trade increasing by 192% over the past decade. Poland’s Charge d’Affaires, Sebastian Domazalski, stated that Modi’s visit will focus on technology, security, and defense, with discussions on India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council also expected.

In Ukraine, PM Modi’s visit comes as the country continues to rebuild from the ongoing conflict. In March, India and Ukraine agreed to restore their ties to pre-war levels, marking an important step in their relationship. India has consistently called for an immediate end to hostilities and supported diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.

PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine is seen as a significant event, coinciding with Ukrainian Independence Day (August 24th). The visit underscores India’s balanced approach to the conflict and its support for dialogue and diplomacy. During the G7 summit in June 2024, PM Modi reiterated to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that “dialogue and diplomacy” are essential for peace.

Ukraine sees India as a key player in global security, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasizing India’s leadership role. The first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic ties marks an important step in India’s efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy on the global stage.