In a pointed diplomatic exchange in New Delhi, Poland’s top diplomat Radoslaw Sikorski threw his weight behind India’s stance against selective tariff impositions. Meeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday, the Deputy Prime Minister condemned the tactic as misguided, amid ongoing US efforts to curb India’s Russian oil imports.
Sikorski arrived in India for a three-day visit, fresh from captivating sessions at the Jaipur Literature Festival. There, he lauded the festival’s global stature and echoed Jaishankar’s call for united action against cross-border terrorism, recounting Poland’s own history of enduring state terror and violent extremism.
The core of their discussion pivoted to trade pressures. Without explicit reference to America, Sikorski declared full agreement with India’s position. ‘Selective targeting via tariffs is something we Europeans understand deeply,’ he said. ‘It risks unraveling world trade. India must stay connected to Europe—we appreciate your expanding diplomatic footprint across the continent.’
Jaishankar seized the moment to broaden the narrative: ‘Absolutely, and it’s not just tariffs. Selective measures take many forms, which we can explore further.’ This dialogue signals robust bilateral support as India faces intensified scrutiny post-Trump’s inauguration.
At Jaipur, Sikorski, accompanied by his wife, shared insights from his dual career in journalism and politics. He analyzed Europe’s navigation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Poland’s pivotal responses, and strategies for a rapidly evolving global order, engaging in sessions moderated by Navtej Sarna and covering multifaceted changes.
Bolstering ties, India and Poland recently concluded their 11th FOC in the capital, pledging enhanced collaboration across critical domains like defense, tech innovation, cyber defenses, and artificial intelligence. Co-chaired by senior officials, these talks pave the way for practical partnerships.
Sikorski’s intervention arrives at a crucial juncture, validating India’s multi-aligned foreign policy and challenging coercive economic tools. It promises stronger Indo-European synergies amid turbulent international relations, with both nations eyeing mutual growth opportunities.