English
English
English
Modi-Tusk talks put joint defence production, AI and critical minerals at the centre of India-Poland cooperation. (Images: X)
New Delhi: India and Poland are moving to deepen their strategic partnership, with a new Defence Industry Dialogue set to explore joint defence development, co-production and technology collaboration. The decision was announced in a joint statement following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday.
The proposed dialogue aims to create a long-term framework for defence industrial cooperation, encourage stronger business-to-business engagement and open avenues for mutually agreed technology partnerships between the two countries.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security ties and welcomed the outcomes of the eighth meeting of the India-Poland Joint Working Group on Defence, held in Warsaw in September. They also agreed to maintain regular exchanges between their respective defence establishments to sustain momentum in bilateral cooperation.
According to the joint statement, the proposed Defence Industry Dialogue will focus on creating opportunities for industrial partnerships, including technology collaboration, co-development, co-production and other mutually agreed forms of cooperation. The initiative could provide a structured platform for companies from both countries to explore potential defence projects and strengthen industrial links.
India and Poland also highlighted the importance of an agreement covering the mutual protection and exchange of classified information. Both sides expressed hope that the pact would be signed soon. Such an arrangement would support closer engagement in areas where industrial and technological cooperation requires the secure handling of sensitive information.
The leaders also welcomed the India-European Union Security and Defence Partnership signed in January and called for stronger bilateral cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, cybersecurity and defence innovation.
Beyond defence, the talks covered a wider range of strategic and economic priorities. The Ministry of External Affairs said Modi and Tusk discussed opportunities to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, green technologies, critical minerals, trade, investment, education and cultural exchanges.
The discussions build on the India-Poland Strategic Partnership established in 2024, with both countries looking to identify new areas of collaboration amid changing global economic and security priorities.
The joint statement also highlighted the historical ties between the two countries, recalling the support India extended to Polish women and children during the Second World War. Thousands of Polish women and children found refuge in India during the conflict.
The memorial dedicated to Maharaja Jam Saheb, widely remembered in Poland as the “Good Maharaja,” along with the memorial associated with the Principality of Kolhapur in Warsaw, was described as a living bridge between the two peoples. The leaders also welcomed the two editions of the Jam Saheb Memorial Youth Exchange Programme, with the latest held in October, as an important avenue for strengthening connections between younger generations.
India and Poland expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Polish authorities to more than 2,000 Indian students stranded in Ukraine during the evacuation effort known as Operation Ganga. The joint statement further noted progress in cultural, scientific and educational cooperation. An agreement covering culture, science and higher education is expected to be concluded soon.
Meanwhile, a cooperation agreement between the National Archives of India and Poland’s State Archives has been finalised and is expected to be signed shortly. The latest discussions signal an effort by New Delhi and Warsaw to broaden their partnership across defence, emerging technologies, economic engagement and people-to-people ties.
