Dr. Malgorzata Bonikowska, President of the Centre for International Relations in Poland, spoke at the India-Poland Dialogue 2024 on 9th September, organised by IETO at FIEO during her visit to India.
Dr. Bonikowska highlighted the growing Indian diaspora in Poland, noting that this community has become a bridge between the two nations. “In Poland, you can find many Indian friends, not just in social circles but also in the business community. We now have several thousand Indians living in Poland, and this number continues to grow,” she remarked. She also pointed out that Warsaw is home to both a Gurudwara and a Hindu temple, underscoring the welcoming and inclusive environment that Poland offers.
She emphasised that the reason for the growing diaspora lies in the shared values between Poles and Indians. “Polish and Indian people are quite similar in many ways. In fact, I would argue that we share more in common than Indians and the British,” Dr. Bonikowska said. She explained that while the British, Poles, and Indians all have historical relations, British culture is distinct from that of Poland. “Poland and India share a common set of values. We are very family-oriented, we care for our elders, and we are truly friendly people.”
Dr. Bonikowska also touched upon the concept of “jugaad,” a term she believes is very much present in Polish society. “When describing the Polish nation, an expert from London once coined the term ‘creative tension’ to define our ability to innovate and adapt. This creativity is evident in our strong presence in creative industries, design, IT, software, and AI-based innovations,” she explained.
Poland’s membership in the European Union, which has been in place for 20 years, has significantly bolstered the country’s economic and creative capacities. “The EU has given us a lot of strength. It wasn’t an easy transition for Poland after emerging from the Soviet bloc in 1989. But the European Union provided us with not just funds but also a framework for doing business based on EU standards and norms. We are now part of a single market of over 400 million people,” she said.
Dr. Bonikowska highlighted the importance of the EU market to Poland’s economy, noting that 70% of Poland’s economy is tied to the EU internal market. “In the EU, we have 27 countries, but as far as business and trade are concerned, we operate as one. Any product you buy from Poland meets the high standards of the EU, and Polish businesses now compete with the best in Europe based on quality and creativity.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Bonikowska spoke about Poland’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting on 1 January 2025. “This is an important moment for Poland, as we find ourselves in an era of unprecedented challenges and opportunities. The presidency will give us a unique platform to influence the direction of the European Union.”
She also highlighted that 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Poland. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland was the first by an Indian prime minister in nearly half a century. Following the talks between Modi and Tusk, a five-year ‘Action Plan’ (2024-2028) for the India-Poland strategic partnership was unveiled. This plan identifies a range of areas for cooperation, including defence, trade, agri-tech, energy, green technologies, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, and mining.”
In closing, Dr. Bonikowska expressed Poland’s readiness to revive and strengthen these relations, marking a new chapter in the India-Poland partnership.
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