Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Central Europe visit

By R Anil Kumar

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a significant visit to Ukraine and Poland August 21, marking a pivotal moment in India’s engagement with Central Europe. This visit is a continuation of Delhi’s decade-long effort to elevate Europe’s importance in its foreign policy. Modi’s presence in this region underscores the strategic importance of Central Europe, especially as it re-emerges as a focal point in global power dynamics.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently got elected for a third successive term, is the first prime minister after Morarji Desai to visit Poland after 45 years. 

• The Poland’s Charge d’Affaires, Sebastian Domzalski, also spoke about India’s role amid the ongoing conflict, describing it as a “voice of the world.” He emphasized that India is a rising global power and is gaining significant importance.

• “Poland agrees that India, being the most populous country in the world, should be a permanent member of the UN Security Council. We need to reform the Security Council, and we hope that after the reform, the voices of countries that are currently underrepresented will be heard.”­ Sebastian Domzalski

New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 21, embarked on a two-nation state visit to Poland and Ukraine.

In his departure statement, PM Modi hailed the diplomatic ties between India and Poland. “My visit to Poland comes as we mark 70 years of our diplomatic relations.

Poland is a key economic partner in Central Europe. Our mutual commitment to democracy and pluralism further reinforces our relationship. “I look forward to meeting my friend Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda to further advance our partnership,” PM Modi said.

He is also scheduled to address the Indian community at a program in Warsaw on Wednesday, August 21, evening.

The external affairs ministry’s secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal said that PM Modi during his visit will hold meetings with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk. He will also meet the Polish President Andrzej Duda and the Indian community.

PM Narendra Modi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Warsaw. He will also interact with business leaders and prominent ecologists during the visit.

Modi, who recently got elected for a third successive term, is the first prime minister after Morarji Desai to visit Poland after 45 years.

From Poland, Prime Minister Modi will visit Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelensky, which is currently in war with Russia.

It will be the first visit to Ukraine by an Indian Prime Minister since diplomatic ties were established between the two countries 30 years ago.

PM Modi’s visit comes at a time when Kyiv has carried out a fresh military offensive into the Russian territory.

“I will be visiting Ukraine at the invitation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine. I look forward to the opportunity to build upon earlier conversations with President Zelenskyy on strengthening bilateral cooperation and share perspectives on peaceful resolution of the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

As a friend and partner, we hope for an early return of peace and stability in the region,” PM Modi said.

Modi had met Zelensky along the sidelines of G7 summit in June this year. During the interaction, the Prime Minister had said that India continues to encourage a “peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy”, and New Delhi will “continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution”.