WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk on Thursday before heading to Kiev for high-level meetings.
Modi and Tusk met for talks on security, the war on Ukraine by India’s strategic partner Russia and strengthening bilateral ties. They were expected to make statements and later the Indian leader will meet Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Ahead of his visit, Modi said Poland is India’s most important economic partner in Central Europe.
The two leaders are expected to sign bilateral strategic cooperation agreements in the areas of cybersecurity and the defense sector.
Poland, which lies on the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, is concerned about the two-year war on its eastern border. It has offered political, humanitarian and defense support to Ukraine.
Kiev rebuked Modi for his visit to Moscow last month, during which he met and hugged him President Vladimir PutinModi has avoided condemning Russia but has stressed a peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the meeting as a “huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts.” He also criticized Modi for hugging Putin during their meeting.
Modi’s visit to Poland also marks 70 years of official bilateral relations between New Delhi and Warsaw.
According to figures released by the Indian Embassy, the total value of bilateral trade rose from $1.95 billion to $5.72 billion during 2013-2023, with exports from India accounting for the largest share.
Then-Indian President Pratibha Patil visited Poland in 2009 and Tusk visited India during his first term as Prime Minister in 2010.
Modi will travel to Kiev on Friday to meeting with Zelenskyy.
