New Delhi, April 25: Poland has positioned itself as one of the strongest advocates for deepening the India-European Union partnership, with Polish Ambassador to India, Piotr Antoni Switalski, affirming that the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a historic turning point in bilateral and multilateral relations. Speaking exclusively to NationPress, the envoy outlined Poland's ambitions in defence cooperation, trade expansion, and diplomatic alignment with India on global conflicts.

A Strategic Partnership Gaining New Momentum

Ambassador Switalski described the current phase of India-Poland relations as transformative, pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to Poland in 2024 as the catalyst for a renewed strategic partnership. "Poland and India are now pursuing a strategic partnership. The visit of Prime Minister Modi to Poland in 2024 opened a new page," he said.

The envoy underscored that Poland views its bilateral relationship with India not merely as a standalone engagement, but as a critical pillar within the broader India-EU strategic framework. He described the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement as a "reinforcing signal" that should be treated as "the floor, not the ceiling" of economic ambition.

This comes at a significant moment — the India-EU FTA, long delayed over disagreements on tariffs and market access, represents one of the most consequential trade deals either side has pursued in the past decade. Poland, as the 20th largest economy in the world and a $1 trillion economy, sees itself as a gateway for Indian businesses entering the European single market.

Defence Cooperation: Beyond Drones, Towards Deep Industrial Ties

India's order of Polish-made attack drones has drawn considerable attention, but Ambassador Switalski signalled that this is only the beginning of a far more expansive defence relationship. Poland is currently spending nearly 5 per cent of its GDP on defence — one of the highest ratios among NATO members — driven by security anxieties stemming from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

"Polish companies are interested not only in selling their products to India but also in investing in India, building manufacturing facilities, and exporting products to third markets," Switalski noted, signalling a shift from a buyer-seller dynamic to a genuine industrial partnership. He added that major Indian defence companies have also expressed interest in investing in Poland — a two-way flow that could reshape the bilateral economic architecture.

Notably, this aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing push, which has attracted several European defence majors. Poland's willingness to co-produce and co-invest — rather than simply export — positions it as a strategically valuable partner for India's defence indigenisation goals. The ambassador hinted that new contracts and production facility inaugurations are imminent.

Trade Gap: $6 Billion Is Far Below Potential

Despite the optimism, Switalski was candid about the underperformance of the economic relationship. He described the current $6-billion annual bilateral trade volume as "far from our capacity and our expectations," acknowledging that both countries had been relatively disengaged from each other for several years.

He called on both sides to "rediscover" each other — urging India to view Poland through a fresh lens as a major European economy and a key EU member, while Polish businesses must engage more aggressively with the new India. The envoy also stressed that the India-EU FTA must be complemented by robust investment protection measures to unlock the full potential of the economic relationship.

The FTA is expected to come into force by the end of 2025, according to plans in Brussels, though Switalski expressed hope it could be operationalised even sooner. For context, India's trade with the EU as a whole stands at over $130 billion annually, making the bloc India's largest trading partner — a fact that amplifies Poland's strategic relevance as an EU insider advocating for deeper India ties.

India's Peacemaking Role: Poland Appreciates Modi's Diplomacy

On the West Asia conflict, Ambassador Switalski praised Prime Minister Modi's active diplomatic outreach to all stakeholders, including Gulf nations, the United States, and Israel. He acknowledged that India's engagement is driven by tangible national interests — millions of Indian workers in the Gulf and vessels locked in the Persian Gulf — but argued that Modi's efforts serve a broader global purpose.

"India's efforts are contributing to the peaceful resolution of this conflict," he said, adding that Poland looks forward to the stabilisation of the region and restoration of uninterrupted maritime navigation — a concern shared by both nations given the Red Sea shipping disruptions that have impacted global supply chains and driven up energy and commodity prices.

On Iran's nuclear programme, Switalski was unequivocal: Poland does not want a nuclear-armed Iran and supports diplomatic efforts to prevent it. He clarified that the primary driver of tensions in the region is not oil or regime change, but Iran's nuclear ambitions — a position that aligns closely with the US, EU, and Israel's stated red lines.

Ukraine War: Poland's Security Directly at Stake

Ambassador Switalski offered one of the most direct articulations of Poland's existential stakes in the Russia-Ukraine war. Poland has absorbed over 2 million Ukrainian refugees, with more than 1 million still residing in the country — predominantly women and children — placing significant strain on public services, healthcare, and schools.

He revealed that Polish civilians have been killed by Russian missiles, and that acts of terrorism — including bombs on railways, arson at storage facilities, and explosives in cargo parcels — have been carried out on Polish soil. "We are too close to the battlefield to be neutral," he stated bluntly.

Poland supports Ukraine's path to EU membership and welcomed the unblocking of the EU's large loan package to Ukraine following political changes in Hungary, which had previously vetoed both the loan and Ukraine's accession negotiations. With a new government in Budapest, Poland expects these processes to accelerate. The envoy echoed India's position that a swift, just, and lasting peace — one that does not reward the aggressor — is the shared goal.

As the India-EU FTA moves toward ratification and defence contracts near finalisation, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the India-Poland relationship can scale from strategic rhetoric to tangible economic and security outcomes. A potential visit by the Polish Prime Minister to India in the near future could provide the political momentum both sides are seeking.