Trade ties, Russia-Ukraine war in focus as Modi set to meet Polish PM today, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen bilateral trade and defence ties.
• The discussions will also address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and India's mediation efforts.
• Both nations aim to double their bilateral trade, currently valued at approximately $6 billion.
• The visit precedes the expected signing of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on December 16, 2026.
• India and Poland elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership in August 2024.

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Detailed Insights:

• The visit by Polish PM Donald Tusk aims to further the India-Poland Strategic Partnership, which was established in August 2024 with an Action Plan for 2024-2028.
• Key areas of cooperation include trade, investment, defence, emerging technologies, renewable energy, education, culture, and people-to-people ties.
• The India-EU FTA, anticipated to be signed on December 16, 2026, is expected to significantly boost trade between India and Poland.
• Poland seeks a "confidentiality agreement on classified information" to prevent technology leakages to Russia, particularly from defence companies.
• A joint working group on defence met in September to finalize agreements, including the scrutiny of dual-use items.
• India's mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on Black Sea grain export and maritime safety, will also be a topic of discussion.
• The accompanying Polish business delegation includes firms interested in renewable energy technologies, such as lithium-ion battery recycling, green hydrogen, and green ammonia.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources, resulting in zero carbon emissions.
• Green Ammonia: Ammonia produced using Green Hydrogen and atmospheric nitrogen via the Haber-Bosch process, with a near-zero carbon footprint.
• Dual-use items: Goods, software, and technology that possess both civilian and military applications, subject to stringent export controls.