Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Poland, Radoslaw Sikorski, recently visited India for a bilateral trip. During his visit, he held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and discussed a wide range of topics, from terrorism and India-Poland relations to the Ukraine war and global trade.
In an exclusive interview with the Indian Express, Sikorski spoke about the shared security concerns and the growing economic and historical ties between the two countries.
‘India took part in the Zapad exercises in Russia that we find to be threatening’: Poland Dy PM
Addressing EAM Jaishankar’s concerns over India’s selective targeting on Russian oil and tariffs, Sikorski said, “We have sanctioned Russia because it broke the Budapest Memorandum and violated treaties by invading Ukraine. In these circumstances, international sanctions are justified.”
He also acknowledged India’s regional sensitivities. “We all have our regional concerns, and we all have our neighbours. And with neighbours, you have opportunities and challenges. So yes, we did discuss it. On terrorism, we are on the same page. But, we also have our concerns as India took part in the Zapad exercises in Russia that we find to be threatening. So, I was very glad that we were able to have a candid discussion,” Sikorski told The Indian Express
He emphasised that both countries respect international law and condemn any violation of borders, whether by military forces or terrorists.
India’s traditional ties with Russia
Regarding India’s traditional ties with Russia, Sikorski told The Indian Express, “We understand India’s dependence on Soviet-era military equipment. But Europe is now rearming with better technology, and Europe will now be producing much better equipment,” he said.
Sikorski also touched upon India’s long-standing position of non-alignment and said that credibility matters, especially in moments like this. “For the non-aligned movement to be credible, you can’t ignore the fact that in a European country, Russia is trying to re-establish its empire,” he said, adding that this is something India and Poland broadly agree on. According to him, “the time of European empires is over,” and any dispute over borders must be settled through diplomacy, “not by cross-border aggression or terrorism.”
He went on to argue that Moscow has spent heavily on spreading disinformation to mask the true nature of the war. Drawing a historical parallel, Sikorski told The Indian Express, both Ukraine and Poland were victims of 19th century European colonialism, as was India. And I hope the people and the politicians of India see this war for what it is, which is an attempt to rebuild an aggressive empire.
He praised India’s reduction of Russian oil imports amid tariff threats from the Trump administration. “This was wise, and I personally thanked Dr Jaishankar,” he said. “Also, because we are now successfully restricting the movement of the oil tanker fleet, so the oil that Russia tries to smuggle to India might not actually be able to do that.”
‘India has progressed,’ says Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister
Having first visited India in the 1980s, Sikorski noticed major changes. “India has progressed economically and intellectually,” he said. Sikorski spoke about the historical ties between the two countries. “We are grateful to India for sheltering 6,000 Polish refugees during World War II. Some were taken care of by Maharaja Jam Sahib. They contributed to India’s cultural heritage.”
He encouraged more tourism and investment. “We hope people notice the daily flight between Delhi and Warsaw. And Polish companies are investing here, even the cans of Coca-Cola or Indian tonic water are products of Polish firms in India.”
On the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, he added, “As a result of Putin’s challenge to peace and new US policies, Europe and India are closer to an FTA than ever. Geopolitics is driving this, just as it did with the Mercosur deal.” Sikorski said.