Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday, 22 October 2026, declared that India and Poland share 'no conflict of interest' and are forging their bilateral relationship on a foundation of trust, shared values, and a mutual commitment to non-violence. Tusk made the remarks at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

A Fruitful Strategic Dialogue

Tusk described the discussions with Modi as 'fruitful and important,' noting that the two leaders reviewed the progress of their strategic partnership — a framework first established during Modi's visit to Warsaw in August 2024. 'Today, with the Prime Minister, we summarised its very first results, and we emphasised the definition of the priorities for the years to come in terms of our cooperation,' Tusk said.

The Polish leader characterised the relationship in notably warm terms, stating that the two nations are 'divided by nothing, maybe by geographic distance,' and that synergies between them are 'quite simple.' He specifically invoked India's tradition of non-violence as a shared philosophical touchstone, drawing a direct parallel to Poland's Solidarity movement.

Modi Hailed as 'Beacon of Hope'

In a striking personal endorsement, Tusk praised Modi's global stature, calling him 'a beacon of hope for all of us' in times of 'destabilisation, uncertainty, political uncertainty and instability.' He added that he was 'truly proud' to call Modi a personal friend. The effusive praise reflects Warsaw's efforts to deepen ties with major non-Western democracies amid the ongoing security turbulence in Europe.

Tusk also lauded India's economic trajectory, placing it alongside Poland's own growth story. 'The last 35 years has been an unprecedented economic success and dynamic growth of all of our countries... The world looks up to us with envy, to you, how you develop as India,' he said.

Ukraine Crisis, Indian Students and the 'Good Maharaja' Legacy

A notable moment in the press interaction came when Tusk recalled Poland's assistance to Indian students stranded in Ukraine following Russia's military offensive. He described Poland's intervention as 'solidarity, trust and friendship in practice' and pledged that the two nations would never let each other down.

The exchange also touched on the historic figure of the 'Good Maharaja' — a reference to Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji of Nawanagar, who sheltered hundreds of Polish refugee children in India during World War II. Tusk described this as a symbol not merely of goodwill but of 'very practical assistance that required a lot of devotion,' underscoring the deep historical roots of Indo-Polish empathy.

G20 Cooperation and Future Priorities

Both leaders signalled intent to coordinate closely in multilateral forums. Tusk said Poland and India would support each other at G20 summits, sitting 'side by side, shoulder to shoulder.' He expressed appreciation for Modi's offer of close cooperation in the G20 format, framing it as being 'to the benefit of both our countries and to the benefit of the world.'

This visit marks a significant diplomatic moment as Poland — a frontline NATO state bordering Ukraine — seeks to diversify its strategic partnerships. With sectoral cooperation, G20 alignment, and a bilateral strategic framework now in place, the India-Poland relationship appears set for a more substantive phase in the years ahead.