New Delhi, Feb 6 (NationPress) Poland’s Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski acknowledged India’s remarkable economic growth and increasing global prominence, expressing the European nation’s desire to enhance relations with India in various sectors, particularly in defence co-operation and green technology.

In an interview with IANS, Bartoszewski elaborated on India–Poland relations, trade and investment prospects, global geopolitical challenges, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He highlighted the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and underlined India’s swift economic evolution, technological progress, and its strategic significance worldwide.

Here is the complete interview:

IANS: How do you evaluate the current trend of India–Poland relations?

Władysław Bartoszewski: The relations between India and Poland are on a positive incline. We formalized a strategic partnership agreement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his historic visit to Poland in 2024, marking the first time in 45 years. It was a fruitful visit. We have also concluded a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, of which we are a member. I recently returned from the Foreign Ministry, where we discussed several actionable steps regarding military collaboration, digital industry partnership, security matters, IT investments in advanced technologies, space cooperation, and more.

We have plans for a visit by our Deputy Minister for Digital Affairs next month. I will be back in March, and our Deputy Minister for Development and Technology will also visit during that month. Furthermore, we are organizing a trip for our Prime Minister to New Delhi later this year. We are also in discussions regarding visits from various officials, including Dr. S. Jaishankar, to Poland in the near future.

In summary, we are engaging in discussions about business, politics, security, and a broad spectrum of cooperation. The potential is immense. Recently, two astronauts—one from India and one from Poland—successfully orbited the Earth, symbolizing our future collaborative efforts.

IANS: What are Poland’s objectives and priorities for trade and investment with India?

Władysław Bartoszewski: We’re keen on multiple sectors. The ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sector is a primary interest—approximately 9% of India’s GDP is derived from this sector, while 7% of ours comes from it, making it a natural fit.

Poland has advanced digital technologies that benefit the population, enabling most official dealings with government and regional authorities to occur via phone or computer. We are striving to expand our e-government services, an area where India also excels.

We are exploring advancements in military technology, discussing high-tech solutions with several Indian firms. Additionally, we are considering joint production efforts in Poland and India under the Make in India initiative.

We are actively engaged in discussions about green technologies, which are also a priority for India. We have notable advancements in water treatment; as far as I recall, a Polish company is involved in sewage treatment in Mumbai.

We are rapidly transitioning our energy sector from coal to renewable sources, including nuclear energy. A nuclear power plant is currently under construction, and we are also evaluating small modular reactors. Substantial investments are being made in offshore wind farms and biogas utilization.

Our robust agricultural sector, which represents about 50% of our export value, can provide agricultural by-products for biogas, a stable and renewable energy resource. We are also interested in India’s experiences in green hydrogen and energy storage.

We anticipate engaging with India in coal mining as well, given our extensive experience, with most of our coal mines being open-cast.

IANS: How do you perceive the recent India–US trade agreement?

Władysław Bartoszewski: Having a trade agreement is certainly better than not having one. Generally, tariffs do not foster prosperity, as they ultimately burden consumers when importers pass on costs. Lower tariffs are preferable.

It is encouraging that India and the United States have reached an agreement that significantly reduces tariffs from the initially proposed levels.

IANS: Do you think India secured a more advantageous trade agreement with the United States compared to other nations? If so, why?

Władysław Bartoszewski: India is a formidable economic force. You rank fourth globally in terms of GDP, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed India’s ambition to ascend to third place shortly. With a market of nearly one and a half billion people, it is technologically advanced and evolving swiftly. Ignoring a nation with such potential would be unwise.

India is also a democratic nation that recently conducted the largest democratic election globally, making it an excellent partner. It is more beneficial to engage in trade and maintain good relations than to foster poor relations and eschew trade.

IANS: India has requested Poland to contribute to combating terrorism in the region. How do you respond?

Władysław Bartoszewski: We are already addressing state-sponsored terrorism near our borders. We faced two terrorist attacks on our trains. Thankfully, no one lost their lives, but it was perilously close to becoming an international incident.

IANS: How do you evaluate India’s potential role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine?

Władysław Bartoszewski: India is not engaged in the Ukrainian conflict and is not involved in negotiations to resolve it. The war can only conclude if President Putin withdraws his colonial and imperial forces that are attempting to re-subjugate Ukraine.

Historically, Russia ruled Ukraine as a colony in the 18th and 19th centuries and now seeks to do so again. Poland opposes all forms of colonialism and neo-imperialism.

IANS: What are your thoughts on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and its global implications?

Władysław Bartoszewski: I regard the Prime Minister as a remarkable leader. His charisma is evident through his repeated elections. He has transformed India dramatically and holds an ambitious vision for the future.

His actions and accomplishments have left a profound impression on us. Personally, I find him to be an incredibly charming, charismatic, and amiable individual. Many Indians seem to share this sentiment, as they follow his guidance and directives, which have propelled India from a time when it struggled with poverty to its current status as the world’s fourth-largest economy, progressing swiftly under his leadership. You are fortunate to have such a Prime Minister.

IANS: How do you assess the current state of West Asia, especially regarding the tensions between Iran and the United States?

Władysław Bartoszewski: I believe a full-scale conflict will be averted. An agreement between the United States and Iran is possible, given Iran’s significantly weakened position.

Iran cannot effectively deploy its proxies, such as Hamas or Hezbollah, which are currently disorganized, along with the Houthis. There are also substantial protests within Iran against the regime and its leadership.

A peaceful resolution is feasible, and I do not foresee a major war erupting in the region at this time.

IANS: What is your perspective on China’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict and tensions regarding Iran?

Władysław Bartoszewski: I view China’s role in the Ukrainian war unfavorably, and we communicate this to our Chinese counterparts whenever we converse. Estimates suggest that approximately 80% to 90% of all dual-use components utilized in Russian weapon systems are supplied by China, which exacerbates the conflict.

China is also a significant buyer of Russian oil and gas, contributing to Russia’s financial resources to sustain its military efforts. We reiterate this to the Chinese during our discussions.

The Chinese assert that they do not provide any dual-use materials, but we must disagree with that assertion.

IANS: How do you perceive NATO’s evolving role and its implications for non-member countries like India?

Władysław Bartoszewski: NATO was established in 1949 as a defensive alliance to safeguard Western European nations from a potential Soviet invasion. Eastern European countries later joined NATO for the same reason, to ensure protection against the aggressive Russian Federation.

Russia claims that all territories in Eastern Europe should fall under its control, which we vehemently reject. We are sovereign nations, members of the United Nations, and, like India, we believe that international law, not military force, should resolve disputes.

NATO does not intend to initiate any attacks. Finland and Sweden, which maintained their neutrality for over 200 years, joined NATO due to perceived threats from Russia’s policies.

NATO member states maintain excellent relations with India, including the United States, France, Germany, and Poland. We acknowledge India’s global significance. I mentioned in a previous interview in New Delhi that Prime Minister Modi spoke with President Putin, urging him against the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine in late 2022. President Xi Jinping played a similar role. This underscores the positive contributions India makes in global affairs, a role I anticipate will continue.