PM Modi's Historic Visit to Poland: Celebrating 70 Years of India-Poland Diplomatic Relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Poland marks the first by an Indian PM in 45 years. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Warsaw, Modi highlighted India's growth and strengthened bilateral ties. The event also honored shared histories, including aid to Polish refugees during WWII.

Members of the Indian community praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for presenting India's growth statistics during his speech in Poland. Speaking to ANI, Akashdeep, a member of the Indian diaspora, said, "We liked PM Modi's speech. We have been waiting here for him since morning. He was very energetic. He is always right? I feel today PM Modi is the most charismatic leader. The whole hall was filled with energy as he gave the speech and everyone enjoyed themselves."

PM Modi addressed the Indian diaspora at an event organized in his honor by the Indian community in Warsaw. He received a warm welcome at the event. In his address, PM Modi noted that a visit to Poland by an Indian PM was happening for the first time in 45 years. The Indian diaspora praised PM Modi for the statistics he presented during the speech, showcasing India's growth.

A member of the Indian diaspora said, "The speech was very good. We are thankful that he came here and we got the chance to meet him. What I liked most was how he presented the statistics showcasing India's growth during the speech. This was a proud moment for us and this is how we want to move forward." Hiren, a member of the Indian diaspora, said that PM Modi is tremendous with numbers. He said they feel lucky to see PM Modi.

Speaking to ANI, Hiren said, "As always, he is tremendous, with all the number games and everything whatever he said, was directly touching the hearts of the people. People had come here with much excitement. They were chanting slogans. It was a very touching feeling. We feel lucky that we were able to see him this close in Poland. We are lucky to be part of it." Arpita Banerjee, a Bharatnatyam dancer from Poland who performed at the event, called it a big honor to perform in front of PM Modi. Banerjee stated that she and her partner performed Bharatnatyam and Kathak.

Banerjee said, "It is a great honor to perform at this big event. It is a great opportunity. The Embassy of India in Poland gave a great opportunity to me and my Kathak partner. We both performed Bharatnatyam and Kathak. We didn't capture all Indian classical dances. But, we tried our best to capture the southern part of classical dance which is Bharatnatyam and it's from Tamil Nadu and Delhi Kathak from the northern part of India. It's actually a very big opportunity to perform here in front of PM Modi." In his address, PM Modi said that India's strategy is to maintain equal closeness with all nations as compared to its previous policy of remaining equidistant.

PM Modi said, "Since last week, the Indian media is only talking about you. This is also a headline that it's the first time in 45 years that an Indian PM is visiting Poland. Many good things are there in my fate. I visited Austria recently. There too, an Indian PM was visiting after four decades. Situations have changed now." "For decades, India had a policy to maintain distance from all countries. However, the policy of today's India is to have equal closeness with all countries. The India of today wants to connect with all. Today's India talks about the development of all. Today's India is with all and thinks about the interests of all," he added.

PM Modi spoke about the progress achieved by India in the last 10 years. He expressed confidence that India will become the third-largest economy in the next few years. He also spoke about his vision for the country to become a developed nation by 2047. He praised the Indian community for helping Indian students who were stuck in Ukraine after the war started in 2022. He called upon the Indian community to become brand ambassadors of tourism to India and be part of its growth story.

He also pointed out that Kabaddi emerged as a connection between the two nations, as Poland is going to host the Kabaddi championship for the first time this year. PM Modi stated, "Innovation and youth are going to give energy to the development of both nations. Today I have come to you with big news. Both India and Poland have agreed on a social security agreement which is going to benefit all the friends like you."

"India's wisdom is global. India's vision is global. India's culture is global. Care and compassion are global. Our ancestors gave us the mantra of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. We have considered the whole world as one family and this is visible in the policies and decisions of today's India. At the time of G20, India called for 'One Earth, One Family and One Future,'" he added. Emphasising the strengthening ties between India and Poland, he stated, "I am happy that the partnership between India and Poland is continuously increasing in areas like new technology and clean energy. Many Indian companies have invested here, created jobs, many Polish companies have created opportunities in India."

"Tomorrow, I am going to meet President Duda ji and the Prime Minister. Through these meetings, the wonderful India-Poland partnership will be further strengthened. PM Tusk is a good friend of India. I have met Donald Tusk when he served as President of the European Council," he added. He said that Indians are known for their efforts, actions and empathy. He stated that Indians are bringing laurels to the country through their efforts.

He called empathy an identity of Indians and added that India is the first country which extends a helping hand when any country faces a crisis in the world. He recalled how India sent medicines and vaccines to over 150 nations during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Empathy is also an identity of us Indians. Whenever there is a crisis in any country in the world, India is the first country which extends a helping hand. When Covid came, India said, Humanity first. We sent medicines and vaccines to more than 150 countries of the world. Wherever there is an earthquake or any disaster in the world, India has only one mantra: Humanity first. If there is a war, India says - Humanity first and in this spirit, India helps the citizens all over the world," PM Modi stated.

The Prime Minister also recalled how Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja provided shelter to Polish women and children during World War II. He stated that he is still remembered as 'Good Maharaja' in Poland. "Jamsaheb is still remembered as 'Dobry or Good Maharaja' in Poland. During World War II, when Poland faced difficulties, when thousands of women and children from Poland were wandering from place to place for shelter, Jamsaheb, Digvijay Singh Ranjit Singh Jadeja ji came forward. He built a special camp for Polish women and children and he told the women and children of the camp that just as the people of Nava Nagar call me Bapu, I am your Bapu too," he stated.

"I have been meeting family members of Jamsaheb. They have showered me with love. A few months ago, I went to meet the present Jam Saheb, his room still has an image related to Poland. I am happy to know that Jam Saheb's path has been kept alive by Poland," he added. PM Modi arrived in Poland on Wednesday, the first Indian leader to visit the Central European country in 45 years. His visit to Warsaw, comes as India and Poland are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

Members of the Indian diaspora greeted PM Modi and he reciprocated their affection. The Prime Minister waved to the gathering and shook hands with some of those present. Members of the Indian community raised slogans lauding PM Modi, and chanted "Bharat Mata Ki Jai". During his visit to Poland, he laid wreaths at the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar Memorial and Kolhapur Memorial in Warsaw, two places that commemorate the shared history between India and Poland.

He paid homage at the Dobry Maharaja Memorial in Warsaw. The memorial, located at the Square of the Good Maharaja is a testament to the deep respect and gratitude that the people and government of Poland have for the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar, Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja, according to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). During World War II, the Jamsaheb provided shelter to over a thousand Polish children and he is remembered as the Dobry (Good) Maharaja in Poland. At the memorial, the Prime Minister met with descendants of Polish people who were sheltered by the Jamsaheb. He also laid a wreath and paid tribute at the Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino in Warsaw.

The MEA stated, "This monument commemorates the sacrifice and valor of soldiers from Poland, India, and other countries who fought alongside each other in the famous Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy during the Second World War. The Prime Minister's visit to the Monument underscores the shared history and deep-rooted ties between India and Poland that continue to inspire many." (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)