CarpeDiem IAS • CarpeDiem IAS • CarpeDiem IAS •

India–Poland diplomatic exchange over regional issues

20 Jan 2026 GS 2 International Relations
India–Poland diplomatic exchange over regional issues Click to view full image

Context

India and Poland sparred over their respective regional rivals as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Polish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski aired their differences over Pakistan and Russia as the two Ministers met for talks in New Delhi.

Issues discussed

1. Poland–Pakistan engagement

  • India expressed concern over Poland’s renewed ties with Pakistan.

  • Reference to Mr. Sikorski’s visit to Pakistan (October 2025).

  • India’s position:

    • Partners should show zero tolerance for terrorism.

    • External engagement should not fuel terrorist infrastructure in India’s neighbourhood.

  • Context:

    • Visit occurred months after the India–Pakistan conflict (May 2025).

2. Russia, Ukraine and Zapad-2025

  • Poland raised concerns over India’s participation in Zapad-2025 military exercises.

  • Polish view:

    • Exercises in Russia and Belarus seen as threatening, especially for Eastern Europe and NATO’s eastern flank.

  • Indian position:

    • Did not accept Poland’s security framing.

    • Emphasised regional specificities and strategic autonomy.

3. EU sanctions and Russian oil

  • India objected to EU sanctions affecting India’s trade and oil imports from Russia.

  • Jaishankar described EU actions as “selective targeting”, calling them unfair and unjustified.

  • Poland’s position:

    • Mr. Sikorski publicly welcomed India’s reduction (not cessation) of Russian oil purchases.

Areas of convergence

  • Both India and Poland agreed on:

    • Common concern over terrorism

    • Need for cooperation against extremist threats

Zapad-2025

  • Russia and Belarus launched a major joint military exercise named Zapad-2025 on September 12, 2025.

  • The drills are being conducted:

    • In Russia

    • In Belarus

    • In the Baltic Sea

    • In the Barents Sea

  

  • The exercise is taking place close to NATO borders, particularly near Poland.

India participated in the Zapad-2025 military exercise at Nizhny Novgorod in russia. A Contingent of 65 Indian Armed Forces personnel from the Army, Air Force, and Navy, took part in the exercise.

The Indian Army group was led by a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Q. The military exercise “Zapad-2025”, seen recently in news, is conducted jointly by which of the following countries?

  1. Russia and Ukraine

  2. Russia and Belarus

  3. Belarus and Poland

  4. Russia and Kazakhstan

Correct answer: 2

Explanation:
“Zapad-2025” is a joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus, reflecting their close military alliance under the Union State framework.



← Back to list