Targeting India over Ukraine war 'unjustified', says EAM S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised concerns over tariffs and criticism linked to India's Russia ties during talks with visiting Polish Deputy PM Radoslaw Sikorski in New Delhi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday told Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Radoslaw Sikorski that targeting of India, which includes the imposition of punitive tariffs on Indian goods in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, and New Delhi’s relations, especially energy ties, with Moscow is “both unfair and unjustified”.

 

Sikorski, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, also Poland’s foreign minister.

 

At their meeting, Jaishankar also urged Poland to display “zero tolerance” for the spread of terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure or neighbourhood. He was alluding to the Poland-Pakistan joint statement issued after Sikorski’s visit to Islamabad in October, which featured the Kashmir issue.

 

Jaishankar said that Poland bilateral relationship has “tremendous potential”, but nevertheless, needs constant tending. He said “selective targeting” of India by western nations on its ties with Russia “is not limited to tariffs”. Sikorski said he completely agreed with Jaishankar on the “unfairness” of selective targeting.

 

The two also reviewed the Action Plan 2024–28, through which India and Poland seek to deepen the full potential of their strategic partnership.

 

Further, Jaishankar and Sikorski discussed ways to take forward bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, clean technologies and digital innovation.

 

Poland is one of India’s largest trade partners in Central Europe, Jaishankar noted. India-Poland bilateral trade stands at $7 billion, having registered growth of almost 200 per cent in the past decade, he said.

 

Indian investment in Poland has surpassed $1 billion, creating a number of job opportunities for Poles. India’s strong economic growth, rise of its market and pro-investment policies, provide immense opportunity for Polish businesses, Jaishankar said.

 

Sikorski’s visit comes weeks before India and the European Union are set to announce the conclusion of their negotiations for their free trade agreement on January 27.