PM Modi's Historic Visit to Poland & Ukraine | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Recent Visits of Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine and Poland

Key Highlights

• The Indian Prime Minister's recent visits to Ukraine and Poland marked significant diplomatic engagements:

India-Poland Relations

• Enhanced Bilateral Ties:
  As India and Poland celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations, both nations agreed to elevate their partnership to a "Strategic Partnership." This reflects their commitment to deepening cooperation in areas such as food processing, science and technology, defense, security, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), green energy, and cultural exchanges.
• Expanding European Relations:
  India's visit to Poland signals its desire to strengthen ties with Central European nations, moving beyond its traditional partners like Germany, France, and the UK. Poland, being a rising economic power in Central Europe, offers new opportunities for India in trade, investment, and technology.

Five-Year Action Plan:
To implement the Strategic Partnership, India and Poland outlined a Five-Year Action Plan for 2024-2028, focusing on:

• Political and Security Dialogue: Regular high-level contacts and security consultations.
• Trade and Investment: Addressing trade imbalances, exploring high-tech and green technology, and using the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation (JCEC) to boost economic ties.
• Climate and Technology: Collaborating on sustainable technology, clean energy, and space exploration.
• Transport and Connectivity: Improving infrastructure and flight connectivity.
• Counter-Terrorism: Strengthening counter-terrorism efforts and advocating for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
• India-EU Relations: Supporting India-EU trade and investment negotiations and enhancing the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
• Cultural Exchanges: Enhancing educational partnerships, tourism, and cultural exchanges. India announced the Jamsaheb Memorial Youth Exchange Program, inviting Polish youth to India annually.

India-Ukraine Relations:

• Position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict:
  The Indian Prime Minister reiterated India's support for peace and affirmed that India has never been neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. India encourages genuine dialogue for a peaceful resolution.
• Intergovernmental Commission:
  India and Ukraine have established an Intergovernmental Commission to restore trade and economic ties to pre-conflict levels. In 2021-22, bilateral trade reached USD 3.386 billion.
• Key Agreements:
  Four agreements were signed in areas such as agriculture, food, medical products, and cultural cooperation, aiming to boost ties between the two countries. India also gifted four Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) cubes to Ukraine, designed to provide emergency medical care through mobile hospitals.
• International Engagement:
  Ukraine welcomed India’s role in the 2024 Path to Peace Summit and supported broader cooperation in global food security, trade, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and green energy.
• Defense Cooperation:
  The two countries reaffirmed their defense ties and planned the 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation. India has relied on Soviet-era equipment, much of which was supplied by Ukraine.

Challenges in India-Poland and India-Ukraine Relations:

India-Poland:

• Limited Economic Engagement: Despite potential, trade remains low due to factors such as lack of direct air connectivity and limited market awareness.
• Geopolitical Issues: Poland's EU and NATO commitments sometimes conflict with India's independent foreign policy, especially concerning Russia.
• Cultural and Linguistic Barriers: Business and people-to-people exchanges are hindered by significant cultural and linguistic differences.

India-Ukraine:

• Russia-Ukraine War: India’s neutral stance on the conflict complicates its relations with Ukraine and Western allies.
• Sanctions and Trade: India has not joined Western sanctions against Russia and continues to purchase Russian fuel at discounted rates. This has strained relations with Ukraine.
• Defense Supply Chain Disruptions: The war has delayed the delivery of critical defense equipment to India, such as upgrades to AN-32 aircraft and the delivery of S-400 defense systems from Russia.
• Diplomatic Tensions: Ukraine’s stance on the Kashmir issue and divergent foreign policy priorities further complicate relations.

Path Forward

• Balanced Approach: India should maintain a careful stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict while supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
• Strategic Autonomy: By emphasizing strategic autonomy and non-alignment, India can avoid being drawn into geopolitical conflicts that do not serve its national interests.
• Humanitarian Aid: Expanding humanitarian aid to Ukraine, particularly in medical and reconstruction efforts, could strengthen ties.
• Mediation Efforts: India could explore a role in mediating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
• Enhanced Cooperation: India and Poland can further collaborate in defense, technology, green energy, and cultural exchange.