New Delhi, Jan 16 (NationPress) Poland's Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and his spouse, Anne Applebaum, are set to visit India from January 17-19, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday. During this trip, Sikorski is expected to engage in discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday.

On Saturday, Sikorski and his wife will arrive in Jaipur, where he plans to participate in the Jaipur Literature Festival. Following his commitments in Jaipur, he will head to New Delhi on Sunday.

Last month, India and Poland conducted the 11th round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, reaching an agreement to accelerate collaboration in areas such as defence, security, science and technology, cyber security, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The meeting was co-chaired by Secretary (West) at the MEA, Sibi George, and Polish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Wladyslaw T Bartoszewski.

During their discussions, both parties reaffirmed their dedication to combating terrorism in all its forms. The Polish delegation expressed its support for the swift finalization of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union.

According to the MEA, "The 11th round of India-Poland Foreign Office Consultations was co-chaired today by Secretary (West) Sibi George and Polish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Wladyslaw T Bartoszewski in New Delhi. Both sides evaluated the progress under the India-Poland Strategic Partnership, particularly concerning the Five Year Action Plan (2024-2028) agreed upon during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Poland in August 2024."

They also reached a consensus to hasten cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, cyber security, and AI. Both sides reiterated their commitment to combatting terrorism in all its forms. Notably, Poland stands as India’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. The Polish representatives reiterated their backing for an expedited conclusion of the India-EU FTA.

In September, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a telephonic discussion with his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, reiterating India’s position advocating for an early cessation of hostilities and a lasting resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

"I spoke with Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland today. He expressed his concerns regarding recent developments affecting Poland's security. I emphasized that India supports an early end to hostilities and seeks a lasting solution to the Ukraine conflict," the EAM noted in a post on X following the conversation.