New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who is on a three-day visit to India, landed in New Delhi on Monday to further develop the Strategic Partnership between India and Poland.
Sikorski was received by Additional Secretary Pooja Kapur.
The agenda of this visit is the deepening of bilateral relations, as well as new spheres of cooperation between India and Poland.
The Polish Deputy Prime Minister will reportedly hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the furthering of India-Poland Strategic Partnership.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X, "A warm welcome to New Delhi. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski of Poland arrived in New Delhi today. His engagements in New Delhi are focused on furthering the India-Poland Strategic Partnership."
Before arriving in the capital, Sikorski visited Jaipur from January 17 to 18, where he participated in the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Sikorski participated in a session titled “A Continent in Crisis: Russia, Ukraine and the European Story,” where he elaborated on how the war has impacted the stability of the European continent and how China has gained strategic advantages since the Ukraine war began.
Speaking on Russia-China relations, Sikorski said, "Russia is now being forced to sell oil at cheaper prices and is becoming dependent on China for high-quality goods, internet access, and cyber services."
He also warned that Russia is supplying North Korea with missile and nuclear technology.
Expressing concern over the Russia-Ukraine war, Sikorski said, "The conflict goes far beyond a regional dispute and poses a serious challenge to Europe’s broader security structure." Highlighting Poland’s defence priorities, he said, "The country is spending 4.7 per cent of its GDP on "defence to strengthen its security and remains fully committed to European security." He also urged the people of Ukraine to "remain strong" and "keep protecting their culture and freedom."
Sikorski said, "The stability of the entire European continent is in danger." He drew attention to the immense humanitarian and economic damage in Ukraine, pointing to the loss of thousands of lives, widespread destruction of cities, and civilians struggling through harsh winter conditions of minus 20 degrees Celsius without electricity or basic services.
Sikorski noted that what was initially presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a three-day "special operation" has turned into a prolonged war lasting 4 years, resulting in heavy military and economic losses for Russia.
UNI AAB