External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday delivered a blunt message to Poland, urging it to maintain “zero-tolerance” towards terrorism and not contribute to “fuelling the terrorist infrastructure” in India’s neighbourhood, an apparent reference to the mention of Kashmir in a Poland-Pakistan joint statement issued in October.
Jaishankar made the remarks during talks with Polish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski in New Delhi. His comments, delivered in televised opening remarks, reflected New Delhi’s unease over Warsaw’s recent diplomatic engagement with Islamabad.
“You are no stranger to our region and are certainly familiar with the longstanding challenge of cross-border terrorism,” Jaishankar said. “I hope at this meeting to discuss some of your recent travels to the region. Poland should display zero-tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood.”
Sikorski had travelled to Islamabad in late October, holding talks with Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, following which a joint statement referring to Kashmir was issued.
The External Affairs Minister also expressed strong concern over what he described as the “unfair and unjustified” selective criticism of India over the Ukraine conflict, a pointed reference to Western scrutiny of New Delhi’s energy ties with Russia.
Also read: India has right to defend itself from bad neighbours: Jaishankar
“In the recent past, both in New York last September and in Paris this January, I have candidly shared with you our views on the Ukraine conflict and its implications,” Jaishankar said. “While doing so, I have also repeatedly underlined that the selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified. I do so again today.”
Responding to the remarks, Sikorski said he fully agreed with Jaishankar on the issue of “unfairness” and “selective targeting” in the context of tariffs and India’s relations with Russia.
Jaishankar also highlighted the steady progress in bilateral ties, recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland in August 2024, which elevated the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.
“Our bilateral relationship has also progressed steadily, but nevertheless, needs constant tending,” he said.
The two ministers discussed cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, clean technologies and digital innovation. Poland remains one of India’s largest trading partners in Central Europe, with bilateral trade touching USD 7 billion and growing nearly 200 per cent over the past decade.
Jaishankar also recalled the enduring people-to-people bond symbolised by Maharaja Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja of Nawanagar, remembered in Poland as the “Dobry Maharaj” for sheltering Polish children during World War II.
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