Warsaw: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Warsaw this evening, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Poland in 45 years. This visit forms part of PM Modis two-nation tour, during which he will also visit Ukraines capital, Kyiv. The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Poland was Morarji Desai in 1979.PM Modi receives ceremopnial welcome in WarsawUpon arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome in Warsaw. During his visit, he will engage in bilateral discussions with Polish President Andrzej Sebastian Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The talks are expected to focus on strengthening economic ties, with Poland being a significant economic partner for India in Central Europe.Właśnie wylądowałem w Polsce. Z niecierpliwością wyczekuję kolejnych punktów agendy. Wizyta ta nada rozpędu relacjom indyjsko-polskim i przyniesie korzyści naszym obu narodom. pic.twitter.com/6ewIUel50w— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 21, 2024Set to pay tribute at memorialOne of the highlights of the visit will be PM Modis tribute at memorials in Warsaw, commemorating the shelter provided by Indian princely states Jamnagar and Kolhapur to over 6,000 Polish women and children during World War II. PM Modi will also address the Indian community in Poland, which numbers around 25,000, as well as prominent Polish business leaders and Indologists.Poland is a key economic partnerThis visit holds particular significance as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Poland. Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe, said PM Modi in a statement before his departure. He also acknowledged Polands support during the Ukraine crisis, when over 4,000 Indian students were evacuated via Poland in 2022.India-Poland trade relations have been steadily growing, with bilateral trade reaching $6 billion, making Poland Indias largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Indian companies have invested around $3 billion in Poland, while Polish investments in India total approximately $1 billion. Direct flights between the two nations, launched in 2019, have further facilitated these economic and commercial linkages.
