Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar engaged in a tense exchange during talks in New Delhi.
Tense Exchange During Ministerial Meeting
During his visit to India, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski met with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. According to The Hindu newspaper, the conversation in New Delhi resulted in a “clash” between the two politicians.
Indian Minister Raises Concerns Over Pakistan Relations
Jaishankar, referencing the renewed Polish relations with Pakistan, stated that India expects its partners not to help “fuel” terrorism in the region. He reminded Sikorski of his past reporting from Afghanistan and time spent in Pakistan, asking: “You are therefore not unfamiliar with this region and certainly know the phenomenon of cross-border terrorism.”
Reference to Pakistan Visit
Jaishankar indicated he wanted to “discuss some of Sikorski’s recent trips to the region,” specifically referencing the Polish minister’s October visit to Pakistan. The newspaper noted that this visit “apparently angered the Indian government” as it occurred several months after the India-Pakistan conflict in May.
Sharp Message on EU Sanctions
During the meeting, Jaishankar delivered what The Hindu described as an “sharp message” regarding EU sanctions on Indian trade and Russian oil imports, characterizing them as “selective blows.”
Differing Perspectives on Security
Following the meeting, Sikorski described the conversation as “frank” and noted that both sides agree on the threats posed by terrorism. However, he added Poland’s own concerns: “India participated in the Zapad-2025 military exercises, which we consider dangerous.” The newspaper highlighted that this exchange of sharp positions between Delhi and Warsaw was unusual given the improved bilateral relations in recent years and the fact that India and the EU are close to signing an important trade agreement next week.