'Don't Help Fuel Terror Infrastructure in Our Neighbourhood': Jaishankar's Tough Message to Poland

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Monday conveyed strong concerns to Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, urging Poland to adopt a policy of “zero tolerance”

towards terrorism and refrain from actions that could help fuel terrorist infrastructure in India’s neighbourhood. In a pointed message, Jaishankar said that “selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified." Jaishankar, in his opening remarks during a meeting with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski, said, “... I have also repeatedly underlined that the selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified. I do so again today. Deputy Prime Minister, you are no stranger to our region and are more than familiar with the long-standing challenges of cross-border terrorism... Poland should display zero tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood...""I completely agree with you on the need to counter transnational, cross-border terrorism. Poland, as you may have heard, has recently been a victim of arson and attempted state terrorism, when a Polish railway line was blown up under a moving train. Fortunately, due to the incompetence of the terrorists, there were no casualties. I also fully agree with you on the unfairness of selective targeting through tariffs. In Europe, we know something about that as well, and we feel that this is leading to global trade turbulence," the Polish leader said. "Of course, the selective targeting is not limited to tariffs. I think there have been other forms of selective targeting, but we will discuss that," EAM Jaishankar responded.

Jaishankar highlighted the growing economic partnership between India and Poland. “Poland is one of India’s largest trading partners in Central Europe,” Jaishankar said, noting that bilateral trade has grown by nearly 200 per cent over the past decade. He added that India’s sustained economic growth presents significant opportunities for Polish businesses looking to expand their footprint in Asia.Sikorski is on a visit to India from January 17 to 19, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). As per the Ministry, Polish Deputy PM Sikorski visited Jaipur and attended the Jaipur Literature Festival, following which he arrived in the national capital. Notably, India and Poland share long-standing friendly relations, and the countries have elevated the India-Poland bilateral relations to the level of a Strategic Partnership. Diplomatic relations were established in 1954, leading to the opening of the Indian Embassy in Warsaw in 1957. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid an official visit to Poland on August 21-22 2024, which was mentioned by Jaishankar during the meeting. PM's visit was historic as this visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Poland took place after 45 years. Prime Minister held discussions with PM Donald Tusk in restricted and delegation-level formats. PM also called on President Andrzej Duda of Poland in a tete-a-tete format and held delegation-level talks with him.Polish deputy PM Sikorski's visit comes as India is in the final phase of negotiations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. European Council President, Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are expected to visit India later this month for the 16th EU-India Summit, scheduled for January 27.