Modi and Tusk Forge New Ties in AI, Defence and Critical Minerals
PM Narendra Modi and Polish PM Donald Tusk meet to boost cooperation in AI, defence, and critical minerals, aiming to double trade by 2030.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday to chart a bold new course for the India Poland cooperation. The high-level discussions focused on expanding the Strategic Partnership established in 2024, with both leaders exploring cutting-edge avenues for collaboration in Artificial Intelligence (AI), green technologies, defence, and the acquisition of critical minerals.
Ambitious Trade Goals and Economic Synergy
A central pillar of the meeting was the commitment to significantly boost economic ties. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Tusk have resolved to work together to double bilateral trade by the year 2030. To facilitate this growth, the leaders highlighted the critical importance of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), noting that it will unlock fresh opportunities for industries and businesses in both nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the talks as the beginning of a "new phase" in the relationship, aiming to deepen existing ties in investment, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Global Order and Strategic Dialogue
Beyond bilateral economics, the two leaders engaged in wide-ranging talks regarding regional and global developments. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to a rules-based international order and emphasized the need for reforming global institutions, specifically mentioning the UN Security Council.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met with PM Tusk, expressing appreciation for the Polish leader's vision on deepening cooperation across various domains.
A High-Profile Visit to India
Prime Minister Tusk arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening for a three-day official visit. He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary. This visit marks Tusk's second trip to India as Prime Minister, the first having occurred during his previous tenure in 2010.
The Polish delegation is high-powered, including Minister of Finance and Economy Andrzej Domanski and a significant group of business leaders. The itinerary includes several key engagements:
- India-Poland Business Forums: Scheduled for October 22 in New Delhi and October 23 in Bengaluru.
- Bengaluru Visit: PM Tusk will travel to the tech hub to interact with stakeholders from the space and Information Technology (IT) sectors.
"A new phase in the India-Poland Strategic Partnership... the leaders explored new avenues of cooperation in areas including AI, green technologies, critical minerals and defence," the MEA stated.