During a meeting with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for Poland to take a firm stance against terrorism rather than supporting terrorist networks in India’s vicinity. Poland has been actively seeking to enhance its trade, defense, and energy relations with Pakistan, with Sikorski having visited Islamabad in October of the previous year to advance bilateral cooperation. Jaishankar, familiar with the region and its challenges related to cross-border terrorism, conveyed that Poland should adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
As per a report in TOI, the discussions also highlighted India’s disagreements with certain European nations over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Jaishankar pointed out that India has been unfairly singled out regarding its position on Ukraine. When Sikorski suggested that Jaishankar might have been referring to trade tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, the Indian minister clarified that the selective criticism extended beyond tariffs.
Poland is among the European countries that have openly criticized India’s stance on the Ukraine war and its trade relations with Russia. India has countered these criticisms by highlighting what it describes as double standards, noting that the European Union continues to engage in trade with Russia involving energy, fertilizers, and other commodities. Jaishankar reiterated these points during his opening remarks, stating that he has previously expressed India’s views on the Ukraine conflict and the unfairness of selective targeting at international forums in New York and Paris.
Additionally, on the preceding Sunday, the Polish leader made remarks in Jaipur criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, asserting that Russia cannot be trusted.
Leave a Reply