Poland backs India’s NSG bid, stronger economic ties

WARSAW: Imparting a fresh momentum to burgeoning ties with India, Poland, the economic powerhouse in Central Europe, has reaffirmed support for New Delhi’s bid for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The two sides also signed an agreement to intensify cooperation in agriculture sector after wide-ranging talks between visiting Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo. The pact, signed by Minister of State of Small Industries Giriraj Singh and Polish Agriculture Minister Krzystof Jurgiel, entails exchange of technology in agriculture sector, in which Poland has redoubtable prowess. Seeking to scale up their economic relations, the two countries also agreed to explore opportunities in mining, food processing and defence industries. The economic ties are already robust. Indian investments in Poland are estimated to be in the range of $3 billion and Polish investments in India are estimated to be around $600 million. Poland struck an upbeat note about India’s rising global profile. Mr Ansari thanked the Polish leadership for its support to India’s bid for NSG membership, entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council. “We are happy to have Poland’s support for India’s claim for permanent membership of an expanded UN security council,” Mr Ansari said. “For past few decades, India and Poland relations are growing with a good pace. Today my talks with the prime minister of Poland was very productive and we discussed entire gamut of our relationships,” said Mr Ansari.