Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski confirmed on 31 October 2026 that India has extended its support for Poland's bid to secure permanent membership in the G20, with Warsaw hoping the accession will be formalised during the ongoing US presidency of the grouping. The announcement came on the sidelines of a press conference in Atlanta, where Sikorski outlined his diplomatic lobbying campaign among G20 counterparts.

Modi's Commitment to Tusk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally committed India's backing to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during Tusk's visit to India in the days preceding the Atlanta gathering, Sikorski said. "We are grateful for that," the Foreign Minister added. The United States had separately tabled a resolution at the G20 proposing permanent membership for Poland, lending diplomatic weight to Warsaw's campaign.

Sikorski noted that he has been actively lobbying fellow foreign ministers, including counterparts from Argentina, Canada, South Korea, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia — with a formal bilateral with Riyadh scheduled for the following day. He said almost all the governments he had approached had agreed to back Poland's application, with some having already declared their support publicly.

Timeline and Next Steps

When pressed on how long the membership process might take, Sikorski was measured: "That depends. We hope it'll happen during the American presidency." He pointed to the forthcoming G20 summit in Florida as a potential milestone. He also noted that the British presidency — which follows the US turn — had already extended an invitation to Prime Minister Tusk for the summit in Manchester next year, suggesting Poland expects to be a participant regardless of timing.

No firm date for a decision on Poland's application was given.

India-Poland Ties and EU Trade Deal

Sikorski described Tusk's recent India visit as "extremely successful", noting that the Polish delegation had included ministers responsible for sectors offering bilateral cooperation potential, accompanied by dozens of business representatives. He also welcomed the prospect of an India-European Union free trade agreement, saying negotiations had accelerated and expressing hope that both sides would benefit. Sikorski drew a parallel with the EU-Mercosur deal, acknowledging domestic scepticism in Poland but citing encouraging early figures.

India's Role in Black Sea Ceasefire Efforts

Asked about ceasefire initiatives for the Black Sea, Sikorski referenced both a Turkish and an Indian initiative: "Well, there is the Turkish initiative; as you know, there is the Indian initiative." He urged swift action, citing the urgent needs of nations in the Global South. He did not elaborate on the specifics of the Indian initiative.

G20 Communiqué and Broader Diplomacy

On the difficulty of achieving consensus within the G20, Sikorski acknowledged the strain created by ongoing conflicts involving member states. "There are countries here represented that don't necessarily see eye to eye, but we need to keep the conversation going," he said, adding that discussions had covered freedom of navigation, energy security, and food security — themes he traced back to the G20's founding mandate.

The G20 was established in 1999 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis and was elevated to a leaders-level forum in 2008 during the global financial crisis. The most recent precedent for expansion came at the New Delhi summit in September 2023, when the African Union became a permanent member during India's presidency — a development that Poland's advocates are likely citing as a template. Sikorski also noted his longstanding relationship with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, though he did not confirm whether a separate bilateral meeting had taken place in Atlanta.