Speaking at a joint news conference with his visiting Indian counterpart, Tusk said he and Modi both believe in India's potential to significantly aid in resolving the nearly two-and-a-half-year-old conflict across Poland's eastern border.
After his meeting with Modi, Tusk expressed confidence that India could play a significant role in ending the war in Ukraine and praised Modi’s personal commitment to achieving a swift and just resolution, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
'India can play a very serious and positive role': Polish PM
"I am very pleased that Prime Minister Modi has confirmed his personal commitment to a peaceful, fair and swift end to the war," Tusk said.
"We both believe that India can play a very serious and positive role here," he added.
The Polish prime minister told the news conference that this declaration is particularly significant given that Modi will be visiting Kyiv on Friday.
"We all believe that this visit could also have historic significance," Tusk stated.
Modi asserted that conflicts cannot be resolved on the battlefield, emphasizing that the deaths of innocent people in conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and West Asia, pose a threat to all humanity, the PAP news agency reported.
He declared India's readiness to support diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability.
Tusk said that Modi's visit, marking the 70th anniversary of Polish-Indian relations and 45 years since an Indian head of government last visited Warsaw, underscores the traditionally good relations and absence of conflicting interests, as well as the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.
The Polish leader added that India is valued globally for its democratic stability, which he said is rare in that part of the world.
Poland, India elevate ties to strategic partnership
Following their meeting in Warsaw, the Polish and Indian prime ministers announced an upgrade of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, signifying a readiness for broader cooperation.
Tusk declared that the two countries have convergent interests and agreed with Modi that "history teaches respect for sovereignty and the rule of law."
Regarding defense cooperation, Poland is ready to help India modernize its military equipment, and India can play a key role in the peace process in Ukraine, the two leaders said.
Following his talks at the Polish Prime Minister's Office, Modi headed to Warsaw's Belvedere Palace for a meeting with President Andrzej Duda.
Warsaw, August 22, 2024: Poland's President Andrzej Duda (right) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) during a welcoming ceremony in front of the Belvedere Palace in the Polish capital. Modi's visit marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and India. Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański
After his meetings in Warsaw, Modi is scheduled to travel to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday.
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Source: IAR/PAP/X/@narendramodi/@donaldtusk/@prezydentpl
