India and Poland have reaffirmed their commitment to building a broader strategic partnership centred on trade, investment, defence, technology, culture and counter-terrorism. The latest round of high-level discussions in New Delhi reflected the growing importance of Poland in India’s engagement with Central and Eastern Europe and India’s expanding role as an economic and strategic partner for Poland.
The talks were held between Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George and Poland’s Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Władysław T. Bartoszewski. Michał Baranowski, Under Secretary of State in Poland’s Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs Pooja Kapur also participated in the discussions.
The two sides reviewed cooperation across political engagement, trade and investment, technology, defence, culture and the global fight against terrorism. Their discussions demonstrated how the bilateral relationship has developed from traditional diplomatic ties into a practical partnership covering economic growth, industrial collaboration and security.
Strategic Partnership Gains Momentum
India and Poland elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Warsaw in August 2024. The visit marked the first journey to Poland by an Indian prime minister in 45 years and coincided with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
An Action Plan for 2024–2028 was adopted to translate the Strategic Partnership into regular cooperation across government, industry, defence, education and culture. Since then, both countries have maintained a steady schedule of ministerial meetings, foreign-office consultations and business engagements.
The New Delhi discussions continue this process by identifying sectors in which cooperation can deliver measurable economic and strategic outcomes. The participation of officials responsible for foreign affairs, economic development and technology also showed the growing connection between diplomacy and industrial policy.
Bilateral Trade Reaches New Levels
Poland has emerged as India’s largest trading and investment partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Bilateral trade increased from approximately US$1.95 billion in 2013 to US$6.36 billion in 2025, representing growth of about 192 per cent over the period. India exported goods worth around US$4.83 billion to Poland during 2025 and imported products valued at approximately US$1.53 billion.
India’s principal exports to Poland include textiles, chemicals, machinery, electrical equipment, metals, transport equipment, footwear, processed food, plastics and vegetable products. Imports from Poland include machinery, electrical systems, mineral products, industrial metals, chemicals, specialised measuring instruments, transport equipment and manufactured goods.
The structure of this trade indicates considerable scope for expanding cooperation in engineering, industrial machinery, automotive components, pharmaceuticals, food processing and advanced manufacturing. Business partnerships in these sectors can strengthen supply chains while allowing companies from both countries to reach wider European and Asian markets.
Poland’s position inside the European Union gives it strategic commercial value for Indian companies seeking access to Central and Eastern Europe. India, in turn, offers Polish businesses a large consumer market, a rapidly expanding manufacturing base and opportunities in infrastructure, clean energy, mobility and digital services.
Investment Creates a Strong Economic Foundation
Indian investment in Poland is estimated at more than US$3 billion. Indian companies have established a substantial presence in information technology, outsourcing, pharmaceuticals, packaging, engineering and consumer goods.
Companies such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL, Genpact, KPIT, L&T Technology Services and Zensar Technologies operate in Poland. Indian information-technology enterprises are estimated to employ nearly 10,000 Polish nationals, making the sector an important pillar of bilateral economic relations.
Polish investment in India is estimated at approximately US$685 million. Polish companies active in the Indian market operate in packaging, industrial heating, automotive components, medical products, information technology, waste management and electric mobility.
The expansion of investment flows provides an opportunity to move beyond conventional buyer–seller relationships. Joint ventures, local manufacturing, research partnerships and technology-sharing arrangements can create deeper connections between the two economies.
Technology Cooperation Takes Centre Stage
Technology has become one of the most promising areas of India–Poland cooperation. The two countries have identified artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital payments, information technology and advanced manufacturing as priority sectors.
India brings scale, software expertise, digital public infrastructure and a large pool of skilled technology professionals. Poland offers a highly educated workforce, established research institutions and a strategically located technology and services market within the European Union.
Indian technology companies already use Poland as a base for near-shore operations serving European clients. This presence could expand into artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, financial technology, semiconductor design and industrial automation.
Cooperation in digital payments could also create opportunities for Indian financial-technology companies and Polish financial institutions. India’s experience in building population-scale digital platforms may support exchanges in secure payments, digital identity, public-service delivery and technology governance.
The growing focus on cybersecurity reflects the importance of protecting critical infrastructure, financial networks, government systems and commercial data. Joint training, information exchange and collaboration between specialised agencies could strengthen the digital resilience of both countries.
Defence Partnership Offers Industrial Potential
Defence formed an important part of the New Delhi discussions. India and Poland already operate under a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation signed in 2003, providing an institutional foundation for military and industrial engagement.
Poland possesses experience in armoured vehicles, artillery systems, ammunition, air-defence equipment, military electronics and the modernisation of platforms originating from the former Soviet defence ecosystem. India operates several systems with similar technological origins, creating potential for cooperation in maintenance, upgrades, spare parts and life-extension programmes.
India’s expanding defence-manufacturing sector offers Polish companies opportunities to collaborate with Indian public-sector enterprises and private manufacturers. Partnerships could cover component production, repair facilities, electronics, vehicle systems, ammunition and specialised defence technologies.
The Make in India programme creates a framework through which foreign defence companies can participate in domestic manufacturing and joint development. Cooperation with Poland could therefore evolve from conventional procurement into co-production, technology partnerships and exports to third countries.
Regular meetings between defence officials and industry representatives would help identify commercially viable projects. Joint military training, professional exchanges and participation in defence exhibitions could further strengthen trust between the two armed forces.
Electric Mobility, Mining and Shipping
Recent India–Poland consultations have also highlighted electric vehicles, mining and shipping as emerging areas of cooperation. Poland has a significant automotive and component-manufacturing ecosystem, while India is rapidly expanding its electric-vehicle market and battery-production capacity.
Collaboration could include electric buses, battery systems, vehicle components, charging infrastructure and clean urban transport. A Polish electric-bus producer has already entered a joint venture with an Indian automotive partner, demonstrating the potential for industrial cooperation in sustainable mobility.
Mining and energy offer another established area of engagement. Poland has experience in mining technology, equipment, safety systems and specialised training. Indian engineers have previously received training in Polish mines, and both countries signed an agreement in 2019 to strengthen cooperation in coal and mining.
Shipping and logistics can connect Indian exporters with Poland’s ports, rail corridors and distribution networks. Poland can serve as an entry point for Indian products into Central Europe, while improved transport links can facilitate Polish exports to India and other Asian markets.
Culture, Education and People-to-People Relations
The partnership also carries a strong cultural and historical dimension. India and Poland have maintained cultural cooperation for decades, supported by academic exchanges, Indology studies and growing interest in Indian philosophy, yoga, cinema and traditional knowledge.
Educational collaboration can expand through university partnerships, student exchanges, joint research and scholarships. Areas such as engineering, medicine, information technology, artificial intelligence and European studies offer considerable potential.
The Jamsaheb Youth Exchange Programme, announced during Prime Minister Modi’s 2024 visit, commemorates the humanitarian legacy of Maharaja Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja of Nawanagar, who provided refuge to Polish children during the Second World War. This shared history continues to hold a special place in relations between the two countries.
Direct air connectivity, tourism and a growing Indian professional community in Poland are also bringing the two societies closer.
Shared Stand Against Global Terrorism
India and Poland reaffirmed their commitment to combating global terrorism. Counter-terrorism cooperation is supported by an existing bilateral agreement on combating organised crime and international terrorism.
Greater intelligence exchange, action against terrorist financing, cybersecurity cooperation and coordination in multilateral institutions can add a stronger security dimension to the partnership. The inclusion of terrorism in the latest discussions reflects a shared understanding that economic progress and international stability require coordinated action against extremist networks and cross-border threats.
A Gateway Between India and Central Europe
The latest discussions in New Delhi demonstrate that India–Poland relations are entering a more results-oriented phase. Trade, technology, defence production, digital systems and investment now provide a broad platform for sustained engagement.
Poland can act as an important bridge between India and Central Europe, offering access to European industrial networks and regional markets. India provides Polish companies with opportunities linked to manufacturing, infrastructure, digitalisation and clean-energy growth.
The continued implementation of the India–Poland Strategic Partnership Action Plan can transform these complementary strengths into joint ventures, research initiatives and long-term commercial partnerships. With bilateral trade rising and political engagement gaining momentum, India and Poland are well placed to build a partnership shaped by innovation, security and shared economic progress.
References
- Akashvani News. “India, Poland Discuss Cooperation in Trade, Defence and Technology.” 13 July 2026.
https://newsonair.gov.in/india-poland-discuss-cooperation-in-trade-defence-technology/ - DD News. “India, Poland Hold High-Level Talks to Expand Cooperation in Trade, Defence and Technology.” 13 July 2026.
https://ddnews.gov.in/en/india-poland-hold-high-level-talks-to-expand-cooperation-in-trade-defence-and-technology/ - Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India–Poland Bilateral Relations.” July 2026.
https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/India-Poland-Relations-010726.pdf - Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India–Poland Joint Statement: Establishment of a Strategic Partnership.” 22 August 2024.
https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/38221/IndiaPoland_Joint_Statement_Establishment_of_a_Strategic_Partnership - Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “Action Plan for the Implementation of the India–Poland Strategic Partnership, 2024–2028.” 22 August 2024.
https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/38222/Action_Plan_for_the_Implementation_of_the_IndiaPoland_Strategic_Partnership_20242028
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