New Delhi: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday said he was “proud” to call Prime Minister Narendra Modi his friend while highlighting that India and Poland have no “conflict of interest”. He also expressed appreciation for India’s global role.
Addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi at Hyderabad House here, the Polish Prime Minister highlighted the positive ties between the two countries.
“I am proud that I can call PM Modi my friend,” the Polish Prime Minister said.
He also said that India and Poland had no “conflict of interest” and underlined Poland’s appreciation of India’s role in global affairs.
This comes after PM Modi said that the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has broadened opportunities for the India-Poland partnership, highlighting India’s growing economic strength and the momentum in bilateral relations over the past two years.
“Our growing economic strength has created new opportunities for the India-Poland partnership. And the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement has made these opportunities even broader,” PM Modi said while addressing the joint press meet.
The two leaders witnessed the exchange of key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) before attending the joint press meet.
Welcoming Tusk to India, PM Modi recalled his visit to Poland in 2024 and said the two countries had elevated their relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership during that visit.
“I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister of Poland in India. During my visit to Poland in 2024, he had extended a heartfelt welcome to me and my delegation. During that visit, we elevated our relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership. Building on this strong foundation, our partnership has gained new momentum over the past two years,” he said.
Highlighting the historical bonds between the two countries, PM Modi said India-Poland friendship was rooted in a shared heritage of humanity and empathy, going beyond diplomatic relations.
“The friendship between India and Poland is not based merely on diplomatic relations, but on the shared heritage of humanity and empathy,” he said.
Recalling the assistance extended to Polish families during the Second World War, PM Modi said, “During the Second World War, the royal families of Jamnagar and Kolhapur had provided shelter to thousands of Polish children and families in India.”
Earlier, PM Modi held bilateral talks with his Polish counterpart at Hyderabad House in New Delhi to review India-Poland relations and explore avenues for strengthening cooperation across key sectors.
The Polish Prime Minister is on a three-day official visit to India from October 21 to 23 at PM Modi’s invitation.