ISLAMABAD: Tensions surfaced in India-Poland diplomatic relations whenPolish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorskiaddressed India’s expressed unease regarding his October 2025 visit toPakistan. During joint press interactions following talks with ExternalAffairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi, Sikorski remarked that if Indiavoiced concerns about Poland’s engagement with Pakistan, Warsaw similarlyobjected to India’s involvement in the Russia-Belarus Zapad-2025 militaryexercises, which Poland views as threatening due to their proximity toEuropean security dynamics.
The Zapad-2025 drills, conducted in Belarus from September 12 to 16, 2025,involved Russian forces and observers from various nations, including asmall Indian contingent of about 65 personnel. Poland, a staunch supporterof Ukraine amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, has consistentlycriticized such exercises as escalatory, aligning with broader NATOapprehensions over Russian military posturing near its borders. Sikorski’scomment framed the matter as a reciprocal diplomatic concern, underscoringthat both sides harbor legitimate security worries stemming from eachother’s partnerships.
This development follows Jaishankar’s opening remarks during the bilateralmeeting, where he urged Poland to exhibit zero tolerance for terrorism andavoid contributing to terrorist infrastructure in India’s neighborhood, astatement widely interpreted as referencing Pakistan amid cross-borderterrorism allegations. Jaishankar highlighted Sikorski’s familiarity withSouth Asia, noting his past experience as a war correspondent inAfghanistan during the 1980s, and linked it to expectations of sensitivitytoward India’s longstanding security challenges.
Sikorski’s visit to Islamabad in October 2025 had already drawn scrutiny inNew Delhi after a joint statement referenced the Jammu and Kashmir disputealongside the Ukraine war, calling for peaceful resolutions underinternational law and the UN Charter. India maintains that Kashmir is abilateral issue between India and Pakistan, rejecting third-partyinvolvement or internationalization of the matter. The inclusion of suchlanguage in the Poland-Pakistan communique prompted renewed diplomaticsignaling from India during the recent engagements.
Broader context reveals that India-Poland relations were elevated to astrategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Warsawin August 2024, fostering cooperation in trade, defense, cleantechnologies, and digital innovation. Bilateral trade has grownsignificantly, reaching approximately USD 7 billion with a near 200 percentincrease over the past decade. Discussions in New Delhi also coveredpeople-to-people ties, including cultural links like the “Dobry Maharaja”legacy from World War II, when an Indian ruler sheltered Polish children.
Despite these positive strands, the talks exposed divergences ongeopolitical alignments. India has faced criticism from some Westernquarters, including over energy imports from Russia, which certain nationsview as indirectly sustaining Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. Jaishankardescribed such scrutiny as selective targeting, unfair and unjustified, aposition he reiterated in prior interactions in New York and Paris.Sikorski acknowledged agreement on the unfairness of selective measures,particularly tariffs impacting India’s Russia ties, while emphasizingEurope’s own experiences with similar pressures.
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The exchange illustrates the challenges of navigating multipolar diplomacy,where partnerships must accommodate differing threat perceptions. Poland’sfirm stance on Ukraine contrasts with India’s emphasis on strategicautonomy and dialogue over bloc confrontations. Both ministers describedthe discussions as frank, indicating willingness to address divergencesopenly while advancing shared interests in global stability and economiccollaboration.
Observers note that such candid exchanges, though tense at moments, reflectmature diplomatic practice rather than rupture. The Polish minister’sparallel drawn between concerns over Pakistan and Russia’s exercises servesas a reminder of mutual sovereignty in foreign policy choices. As globalchurn continues, with ongoing conflicts in Europe and persistent regionaltensions in South Asia, the India-Poland dialogue highlights the need fornuanced engagement among strategic partners.
Source:https://m.thewire.in/article/diplomacy/jaishankar-sikorksi-terror-infrastructure-zapad-drills
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