India and Poland are in active discussions over co-producing defence platforms in both countries, with joint ventures and local content requirements central to the emerging framework, Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski, Poland's Secretary of State and Deputy Foreign Minister, confirmed on Tuesday, 14 July. The talks signal a meaningful deepening of the bilateral strategic partnership signed two years ago during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Warsaw.

What Is Being Discussed

Bartoszewski outlined a two-way production model: certain Polish-origin defence platforms could be manufactured in India with Indian content, while select Indian platforms could be produced in Poland through joint ventures with Polish industrial involvement. 'India is interested in specific defence platforms that we produce, and we are talking about the possibility of producing them in India with some Indian content,' he said. He added that Poland fully understands the 'Make in India' concept and sees it as compatible with its own defence-industrial ambitions.

The Geopolitical Context

Bartoszewski was candid about what is driving Poland's urgency. For roughly three decades after the Cold War, European nations — Poland included — scaled back defence investment on the assumption that large-scale conflict was no longer a realistic threat. That calculus has now shifted dramatically. 'Now it has changed substantially, and we are heavily involved in such projects, sometimes with our partners, and India is certainly going to be one of those partners,' he said. Poland is currently one of NATO's highest defence spenders as a share of GDP, and is actively seeking reliable partners to expand its production base.

India as a Dependable Defence Partner

The Polish minister noted that India's defence industry has maintained continuity and institutional depth that many European nations allowed to erode. 'You have never let down your defence industry because you had a different situation,' Bartoszewski observed, framing India as a structurally sound partner for long-term co-production rather than a one-time buyer. A delegation of Polish weapons producers and firms is reportedly expected to visit India later this year, with some already having an established presence in the country.

Trade and the India-EU FTA

Beyond defence, Bartoszewski highlighted the significance of the recently signed India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), describing it as a catalyst for substantially increased bilateral trade. 'We are very happy that India signed the foreign trade agreement with the EU, which allows us to increase our trade involvement,' he said. The FTA is expected to reduce tariff barriers and open new corridors for goods, services, and technology exchange between India and EU member states, including Poland.

Diplomatic Meetings and the Road Ahead

On Monday, 13 July, Bartoszewski met Sibi George, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), to review progress across the India-Poland Strategic Partnership — spanning political-economic engagement, technology, defence, cultural exchanges, and counter-terrorism cooperation. An action plan is reportedly being finalised to operationalise commitments made under the strategic partnership. With a Polish industry delegation expected before year-end, the bilateral defence relationship appears poised to move from dialogue to concrete project agreements.