NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk held wide-ranging bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Thursday, announcing new steps to deepen the India–Poland strategic partnership across defence, space and nuclear energy. After the meeting, Modi said both countries had reached an understanding to expand co-production in these strategic sectors and reaffirmed that India would continue to support "every meaningful effort" toward peace in Ukraine and West Asia. The talks, held on day two of Tusk's three-day official visit to India, ended with joint press statements from both leaders.
What happened in the Modi–Tusk meeting?
The meeting on Thursday was the centrepiece of Tusk's October 21–23 visit, his first to India as Poland's prime minister since 2010. Tusk began the day with a call on External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, then laid a wreath at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, before heading to Hyderabad House for the summit with Modi. Jaishankar wrote on X that the two discussed "deepening India–Poland cooperation across a wide range of domains" and that he looked forward to the Modi–Tusk meeting advancing the bilateral strategic partnership.
What did the two leaders announce?
In his media statement after the talks, Modi said several decisions had been taken to expand the strategic partnership and that both sides were determined to ramp up overall engagement. His key announcements:
- Defence, space and nuclear energy: "We have reached understanding to deepen relations in defence, space and nuclear energy. We invite companies from Poland to engage in co-development and co-production with India in all these strategic sectors," Modi said.
- Trade and the EU deal: Modi said the growing bilateral economic strength had created new opportunities for the partnership, adding that New Delhi's free trade agreement with the European Union would "further solidify the economic engagement" between India and Poland.
- Democratic values: "India and Poland, both believe in democratic values and the rule of law. We believe that reform is essential to make global governance institutions more empowered and effective," he said.
- Ukraine and West Asia: "Be it Ukraine or West Asia, India will continue to support every meaningful effort towards peace," Modi said, a line he repeated in his statement.
Tusk's delegation included Poland's Minister of Finance and Economy, Andrzej Domanski, along with a large business delegation — a sign that commerce is central to the trip. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
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Why does this visit matter now?
India and Poland elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership during Modi's visit to Warsaw in August 2024, so Thursday's talks are the follow-through: turning that label into contracts, joint projects and investment. Tusk's trip is the first by a Polish prime minister to India since 2010, making it a reset moment for a relationship that has been historically cordial but thin.
The timing matters beyond the two countries. Tusk is visiting India amid a renewed global push to end the conflict in Ukraine — a point noted by both The Hindu BusinessLine and The New Indian Express — and Poland is one of the European Union's most vocal backers of Kyiv. Modi's pledge to support "every meaningful effort" toward peace in both Ukraine and West Asia lands in that context, signalling India's continued positioning as a dialogue partner trusted by both sides.
There is also a business agenda with real numbers attached. Former Polish Ambassador to India Adam Burakowski said both countries aim to lift annual bilateral trade from approximately USD 6 billion to USD 10 billion, with business forums helping companies find partners. He identified defence and space technology as key cooperation areas and pointed to the India–EU free trade agreement as a tool that could widen economic engagement.
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The day's itinerary, step by step
Tusk arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening at Modi's invitation and was received at the airport by Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X that the visit "will provide fresh impetus to the India–Poland Strategic Partnership and further deepen our longstanding ties."
On Thursday, the schedule ran like clockwork: Jaishankar called on Tusk in the morning, Tusk laid a wreath at Raj Ghat, and then the Hyderabad House talks and press statements. Tusk is also scheduled to take part in the India–Poland Business Forum in New Delhi before travelling to Bengaluru on October 23, where he is to meet leaders from India's information technology and space sectors.
What happens next?
The immediate test will be whether Thursday's understandings turn into signed deals. The MEA said earlier that the visit would serve to deepen the India–EU strategic partnership, and with both sides talking about co-development and co-production in defence, space and nuclear energy, watch for company-level announcements from the India–Poland Business Forum. The Bengaluru leg on October 23 could add technology partnerships to the mix.
On the diplomatic front, Modi's Ukraine and West Asia remarks will be read carefully in Warsaw and Kyiv. Tusk returns to a European debate over how far the EU should go in backing Ukraine; a partner in New Delhi publicly promising to support "every meaningful effort" toward peace gives Poland another channel to point to. Whether that translates into any concrete Indian role in peace efforts is the question the next few months will answer.
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Key Takeaways
- Modi and Tusk held bilateral talks at Hyderabad House, New Delhi, on October 22, 2026, during Tusk's three-day India visit.
- Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, space and nuclear energy, with Modi inviting Polish firms into co-development and co-production.
- Modi said an India–EU free trade agreement would strengthen economic engagement; the trade goal cited is lifting bilateral trade from about USD 6 billion to USD 10 billion.
- On foreign policy, Modi said India will keep supporting peace efforts in Ukraine and West Asia.
- Tusk travels to Bengaluru on October 23 to meet India's IT and space-sector leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Donald Tusk visiting India?
Tusk is on a three-day official visit (October 21–23) at Prime Minister Modi's invitation, aimed at advancing the India–Poland Strategic Partnership. It is the first visit by a Polish prime minister to India since 2010, and Tusk is accompanied by Poland's finance and economy minister and a large business delegation.
What did Modi and Tusk agree on at Hyderabad House?
The two leaders agreed to deepen relations in defence, space and nuclear energy, with Modi inviting Polish companies to co-develop and co-produce with Indian firms in these strategic sectors. They also reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global issues.
What did Modi say about Ukraine and West Asia?
In his press statement after the talks, Modi said: "Be it Ukraine or West Asia, India will continue to support every meaningful effort towards peace." The visit comes amid a renewed global push to end the conflict in Ukraine.
How big is India–Poland trade?
Former Polish Ambassador to India Adam Burakowski said annual bilateral trade stands at approximately USD 6 billion and both countries aim to raise it to USD 10 billion, with business forums helping companies build partnerships. Defence and space technology were identified as key cooperation areas.
Did Tusk meet anyone else during the visit?
Yes. On October 22, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on Tusk and discussed deepening cooperation across domains. Tusk also laid a wreath at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, and is scheduled to attend the India–Poland Business Forum before travelling to Bengaluru on October 23.
What is the India–Poland Strategic Partnership?
India and Poland elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership during Modi's visit to Poland in August 2024. Thursday's talks were the next step, meant to convert that framework into concrete cooperation in trade, defence, technology and people-to-people ties.
What role does the EU play in this relationship?
Modi said New Delhi's free trade agreement with the European Union would "further solidify" economic engagement between India and Poland, and the MEA said the visit would deepen the India–EU strategic partnership as well. As a major EU member, Poland is a key gateway for India's engagement with Europe.
Sources
- The Hindu BusinessLine, "India will support every meaningful effort to bring peace to Ukraine, West Asia: PM Modi," October 22, 2026 — full report
- The New Indian Express, "PM Modi, Polish PM Tusk hold wide-ranging talks; India reaffirms efforts to bring peace to Ukraine, West Asia," October 22, 2026 — full report
- The Hindu BusinessLine, "Poland PM begins three-day India visit, to hold talks with Modi today," October 22, 2026 — full report
- Republic World, "PM Modi Holds Bilateral Talks with Polish Counterpart Donald Tusk at Hyderabad House," October 22, 2026 — full report
- Ministry of External Affairs, India (via spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and EAM S. Jaishankar's posts on X), October 21–22, 2026