New Delhi – External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered two unequivocal messages to Poland during a high-level Jaishankar Poland meeting with Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in New Delhi on January 19, 2026. The discussions centered on terrorism, the Kashmir issue, and what India perceives as selective targeting by European nations regarding the Ukraine conflict. The Jaishankar Poland meeting showcased India’s firm diplomatic stance on regional security challenges and bilateral expectations.
During televised remarks at the start of the Jaishankar Poland meeting, the Indian minister emphasized that Poland should demonstrate zero tolerance for terrorism and refrain from helping fuel terrorist infrastructure in India’s neighborhood. This pointed statement came as an apparent response to references about Kashmir and terrorism included in a joint statement issued by Poland and Pakistan following Sikorski’s visit to Islamabad in October 2025.
Zero Tolerance for Terrorism Demanded
The Jaishankar Poland meeting highlighted India’s strong position on cross-border terrorism, a long-standing security challenge for the nation. Jaishankar stated, “I hope at this meeting to discuss some of your recent travels to the region. Poland should display zero tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood.” This direct message reflected India’s concern about the Pakistan-Poland joint statement from October 2025.
That controversial joint statement had referred to the “Kashmir dispute” and called for peaceful conflict solutions aligned with international law and the UN Charter. It emphasized dialogue and cooperation for addressing regional security challenges in South Asia while condemning terrorism and stating that no state should provide safe havens for those who finance or commit terrorist acts. Such references typically raise red flags for India, which maintains that Kashmir is a bilateral matter between New Delhi and Islamabad.
The Jaishankar Poland meeting allowed India to express its displeasure with Poland’s engagement with Pakistan on sensitive territorial issues. India has consistently accused Pakistan of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy and objects to third-party involvement in the Kashmir matter.
Selective Targeting Over Ukraine War Criticized
A significant portion of the Jaishankar Poland meeting focused on what India described as unfair selective targeting by European states regarding the Ukraine conflict. Jaishankar pointedly raised this issue, referencing his previous meetings with Sikorski in New York last September and Paris earlier in January. He noted that he had candidly shared India’s views on the Ukraine conflict and its implications during these encounters.
“While doing so, I have repeatedly underlined that the selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified,” Jaishankar stated during the Jaishankar Poland meeting. This criticism came after Sikorski had expressed satisfaction at a Weimar Triangle Plus format meeting in Paris about India’s reduction of Russian oil imports, noting this finances Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
Sikorski responded during the Jaishankar Poland meeting by acknowledging Poland’s experience with selective targeting, stating, “I also completely agree with you on the unfairness of selective targeting by tariffs, and we in Europe have known something about that.” However, Jaishankar clarified that selective targeting extends beyond tariffs and takes other forms as well.
Common Ground on Trans-Border Terrorism
Despite tensions, the Jaishankar Poland meeting found areas of agreement, particularly regarding trans-border terrorism. Sikorski acknowledged Poland’s own victimization, including recent arson attempts and state terrorism, specifically mentioning the blowing up of Polish railway lines under a moving train. He stated, “I also completely agree with you on countering trans-border terrorism.”
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At a media briefing following the Jaishankar Poland meeting, Sikorski acknowledged that India raised terrorism-related concerns about Pakistan while Poland discussed India’s participation in Russia’s Zapad military exercise last year. He emphasized, “On terrorism, we are of one mind…I was very glad that we were able to discuss frankly what’s on our minds.”
Sikorski further stated during the Jaishankar Poland meeting discussions, “Both of our countries condemn the crossing of international borders, either by tanks or by terrorists. Both India and Poland are victims of transnational terrorists, and therefore we condemn it in the strongest terms.”
Bilateral Cooperation and Economic Partnership
Beyond security concerns, the Jaishankar Poland meeting reviewed the bilateral action plan for 2024-28 and explored advancing cooperation in trade, investment, defence, security, clean technologies, and digital innovation. Poland stands as one of India’s largest trading partners in Central Europe, with bilateral ties elevated to a strategic partnership in 2024.
Current two-way trade values approximately $7 billion, representing nearly 200 percent growth over the past decade. Indian investments in Poland have exceeded $3 billion. During the Jaishankar Poland meeting, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s economic growth, market size, and pro-investment policies offer significant opportunities for Polish businesses.
Poland has supported a proposed India-European Union free trade agreement, with negotiations expected to conclude during the India-EU Summit in New Delhi on January 27. Sikorski also met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during his Delhi visit.
Future Engagement and Ukraine Resolution
Concluding remarks from the Jaishankar Poland meeting indicated Sikorski’s confidence that India “will be among those countries that urge the perpetrator” of aggression toward Ukraine to settle the issue without further bloodshed. This diplomatic exchange demonstrated both nations’ willingness to address difficult topics candidly while maintaining strategic partnership objectives and identifying areas for enhanced bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
