External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

In unusually blunt remarks during bilateral talks in New Delhi on January 19, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar flagged what he described as the “selective targeting” of India on tariffs and cautioned Poland against any engagement that could undermine zero tolerance for terrorism in the region.

Conveying India’s disappointment over being singled out by the United States with steep tariffs for importing Russian oil, Jaishankar told visiting Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski that such actions were “unfair and unjustified”. India, he said, has faced sustained pressure despite its legitimate economic interests and strategic autonomy.

“I have repeatedly underlined that the selective targeting of India is both unfair and unjustified. I do so again today,” Jaishankar said, recalling earlier candid exchanges with Sikorski in New York last September and in Paris in January on the Ukraine conflict and its wider implications.

Sikorski acknowledged the concern, agreeing that India had been subjected to “unfairness” and “selective targeting” in the context of tariffs linked to its ties with Russia. Responding, Jaishankar noted that the issue went beyond trade. “The selective targeting is not limited to tariffs — there have been other forms of selective targeting as well,” he said.

India is currently facing cumulative US tariffs of up to 50% — including 25% reciprocal duties and an additional 25% linked to purchases of Russian oil — even as New Delhi negotiates a broader trade agreement with Washington.

The External Affairs Minister also raised concerns over Sikorski’s visit to Pakistan in October last year, particularly in the context of cross-border terrorism. Referring to a joint statement issued after Sikorski’s talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar that mentioned Kashmir, Jaishankar urged Poland to adopt a clear and consistent stand.

“You are no stranger to our region and are certainly familiar with the longstanding challenge of cross-border terrorism,” he said, adding that Poland must maintain “zero tolerance for terrorism” and “not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighborhood”.

Setting the context for the meeting, Jaishankar said the discussions were taking place at a time of global churn, making it essential for countries in different regions to exchange views and perspectives. He underlined that while India-Poland ties have progressed steadily, they require sustained engagement.

Highlighting the traditionally warm relationship between the two countries, Jaishankar pointed to high-level political exchanges, expanding economic cooperation and strong people-to-people links. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland in August 2024, which saw bilateral ties elevated to the level of a Strategic Partnership.

The two ministers reviewed the bilateral Action Plan 2024–28, focusing on cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, clean technologies and digital innovation. Poland is among India’s largest trading partners in Central Europe, with bilateral trade touching USD 7 billion — a nearly 200% increase over the past decade. Indian investments in Poland have crossed USD 3 billion, generating significant employment, Jaishankar noted.

The talks also touched on cultural and people-to-people ties, including the legacy of the “Dobry Maharaja” — Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja of Nawanagar — who sheltered over 1,000 Polish children during World War II. Modi had paid tribute at the Dobry Maharaja Memorial in Warsaw during his visit.

Sikorski, who is on a three-day visit to India and toured Jaipur over the weekend, described the meeting as an opportunity for an open exchange on bilateral ties and global developments. In a post on X, Jaishankar said the discussions covered cooperation across economic, technology, defence, mining, and multilateral domains, while also expressing appreciation for Poland’s support for stronger India-European Union engagement.