'India's policy was to maintain distance, now...': Modi in Poland
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Poland, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister since Morarji Desai's trip in 1979. Addressing a gathering of Indian expatriates, he joked that his recent trip to Austria was also the first in four decades, remarking, "It is my good fortune to bring about many firsts." His comments were met with laughter and applause. He added these "firsts" reflect a significant shift in India's foreign policy direction.
World respects India as Vishwa Bandhu: PM
The PM said, "For decades, India's policy was to maintain distance from all countries." "The situation has now changed...Today, India's policy is to maintain close ties with all countries...India wants to connect with everyone," he added. This remark is seen as a swipe at the Non-Aligned Movement policy followed by the Congress government in the 1970s. "Today's India is with everyone and thinks about everyone's benefit. Today the world respects India as Vishwa Bandhu [friend to all]," PM Modi said.
India-Poland relations
PM Modi's visit to Poland is particularly significant as it marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. PM Modi described Poland as a "key economic partner in Central Europe" with bilateral trade amounting to approximately $6 billion. This makes Poland India's largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Notably, Indian investments in Poland are estimated at around $3 billion, while Polish investments into India stand at about $1 billion.
Watch: PM Modi's address to the Indian diaspora in Warsaw
PM to head to Ukraine on 'Rail Force One'
PM Modi will head to Kyiv later Thursday where he will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—the first visit to Ukraine by an Indian Prime Minister since it gained independence in 1991. He is expected to travel from neighboring Poland to Kyiv on a "Rail Force One" train that will take around 10 hours. His visit to Kyiv comes a month-and-a-half after his trip to Moscow where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was criticized by Zelenskyy.
