Talks between New Delhi and Warsaw turned pointed on Monday as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Poland’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski aired differences over Pakistan and Russia during a bilateral meeting in the capital, underscoring how parallel security concerns can pull partners into uncomfortable comparisons.Officials familiar with the discussions said the exchange, while frank, remained within diplomatic bounds and took place alongside a broader agenda that included trade, defence cooperation, technology ties and coordination on multilateral platforms. The sharper notes reflected the ministers’ contrasting assessments of regional threats, with Jaishankar pressing India’s case on cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, and Sikorski reiterating Poland’s uncompromising line on Moscow following Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
According to people briefed on the meeting, Jaishankar emphasised that India’s security calculus is shaped by a long record of attacks traced to groups operating from Pakistani territory, arguing that tolerance for such conduct erodes international norms. He drew a distinction between India’s approach of strategic autonomy and the need for consistent pressure on states that, in New Delhi’s view, enable violence across borders. Sikorski, in turn, cautioned against what he described as selective outrage in global security debates, pointing to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a defining challenge for Europe that demands unity and sustained sanctions.
The exchange highlighted how two countries that share democratic values and expanding economic links can still diverge sharply on threat perception. Poland, positioned on NATO’s eastern flank, has been among the most vocal advocates in Europe for a hard line against Moscow, backing military aid to Kyiv and pressing allies to maintain sanctions. India, while condemning civilian harm and calling for dialogue, has avoided aligning with Western sanctions on Russia, citing long-standing defence ties and energy needs.
Diplomats said Sikorski raised concerns about the message sent when major partners continue engagement with Russia amid the war, arguing that economic and political pressure remains the most effective tool to deter aggression. Jaishankar responded by noting that Europe’s security priorities cannot be mechanically applied to South Asia, where India faces a different set of challenges, including unresolved borders and persistent terrorism. He stressed that partnerships must respect each other’s strategic contexts rather than demand uniformity.
Despite the publicised differences, both sides sought to keep the broader relationship on track. The meeting reviewed progress in trade and investment, with bilateral commerce expanding steadily and companies exploring cooperation in clean energy, defence manufacturing and digital services. Poland has been keen to attract investment into its manufacturing base and logistics sector, while Indian firms have looked at Central and Eastern Europe as a gateway to the wider European market.
Defence ties featured prominently, with officials discussing joint production possibilities and training exchanges. Poland’s push to modernise its armed forces and India’s emphasis on domestic manufacturing have opened avenues for collaboration, even as geopolitical alignments complicate some transactions. Education and people-to-people links were also flagged, including academic exchanges and mobility for skilled professionals.
The diplomatic sparring resonated beyond the meeting room, reflecting a broader debate within Europe and the Global South over how to balance moral clarity with strategic pragmatism. Analysts note that New Delhi has faced growing scrutiny from European partners over its Russia policy, while India has urged Europe to acknowledge the scale and persistence of security threats in South Asia. Poland’s vocal stance amplifies that conversation, given its prominence within the European Union on security matters.