Poland's Foreign Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Sovereignty Principles During India Visit
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski clearly articulated his country's position on territorial integrity during his recent visit to India. He stated that Poland firmly supports the principle that borders and national sovereignty must remain inviolable. Sikorski emphasized that larger nations should never feel encouraged to absorb smaller territories.
Addressing Europe-US Differences on Territorial Matters
Speaking about apparent differences between European and American positions regarding territorial acquisitions, Sikorski told TOI that Poland aligns with the majority of the European Union. "We don't believe that larger countries should be encouraged to take over the territories of smaller countries," he stated firmly. "Poland, along with the majority of the European Union, upholds the principle of inviolability of borders and national sovereignty."
When questioned about growing tensions between Europe and the Trump administration in the United States, Sikorski adopted a more measured tone. He simply categorized America's aggressive tariff policies as something Poland finds disagreeable without elaborating further.
India-Poland Strategic Partnership and Shared Principles
Sikorski's broader messaging throughout his Indian visit consistently highlighted Poland's commitment to international law and sovereignty principles. "I want to assure you that Poland and India are countries that are interested in upholding the principles of international law," he declared during his engagements.
The Polish minister drew parallels between the two nations' experiences. "Both of our countries condemn the crossing of international borders, either by tanks or by terrorists," he explained. "Both India and Poland are victims of transnational terrorism, and therefore we condemn it in the strongest terms."
Sikorski concluded his visit on January 19 after holding significant meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Navigating Differences on Ukraine Conflict
The Polish foreign minister acknowledged that India and Poland maintain different perspectives on the ongoing war in Ukraine. He attributed these differing views to the distinct historical experiences of both nations. Despite these differences, Sikorski emphasized that New Delhi and Warsaw still find value in exchanging viewpoints on the matter.
"We hope that President Putin will finally admit that the invasion of Ukraine was a costly criminal mistake and end this war," Sikorski expressed. He described the current situation where "people are freezing in Kyiv in temperatures that go below zero with power and heating plants being deliberately targeted."
The Polish minister expressed confidence that "India will be among those countries that will urge the perpetrator of this act of aggression towards settling it without much delay."
Context of Poland's Regional Role and Bilateral Ties
Sikorski's comments followed a pointed exchange earlier in the day with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, who raised concerns about selective targeting of India in discussions about the Ukraine conflict.
Poland has emerged as a crucial European nation in the context of the Ukraine war. The country has accepted a substantial number of temporary Ukrainian refugees since 2022. Poland also serves as a vital logistics hub for transporting military assistance to Ukraine.
India and Poland elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership level in 2024 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Warsaw. This development underscores growing cooperation between the two nations across multiple domains.
Sikorski's visit highlighted both shared principles and respectful disagreements between India and Poland. The discussions reinforced their mutual commitment to international law while acknowledging different historical perspectives that shape their foreign policy approaches.
