India and Poland- Vistas for Future Partnership, Ed. P. Kugiel, Warszawa 2012

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EDITED BY: PATRYK KUGIEL

WARSAWJULY 2012

India and Poland:

Vistas for Future Partnership

POST-CONFERENCE REPORT

THE POLISH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

POLSKI INSTYTUT SPRAW MIDZYNARODOWYCH

PISM


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THE POLISH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL

INDIA AND POLAND:

VISTAS FOR FUTURE PARTNE

A report from the 3rd Roundtable of the Polish International Affairs and the Indian Council of W


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Polski Instytut Spraw Midzynarodowych, 2012

ISBN 978-83-62453-39-9


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CONTENTS

Key Conclusions and Policy Recommendations:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I. Towards a New Chapter in Poland-India relations . . . . . . . . . . . .

II. Prospects for Strategic Partnership?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

III. Bilateral defence cooperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IV. Bilateral Economic Cooperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

V. Poland and Indias Perspectives on Regional Challenges. . . . . . .

VI. Concluding Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Agenda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


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The Polish Institute of International Affairs, in cooperation with the

World Affairs, held the third bilateral seminar entitled India and PolandPartnership, on May 17, 2012. The event gathered around 50 diplomats, of

academics from both countries, including Polands Deputy Minister for Fo

Pomianowski, and the Indian Ambassador to Poland, Ms. Monika Kapil Mo

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss perspectives on stre

cooperation between Poland and India. The conference addressed the follo

issues: prospects for a strategic partnership, defence and economic

perceptions and policies regarding major regional and global challenges.

Key Conclusions and Policy Recommendations

1. There is significant untapped potential for strategic, defencooperation between Poland and India. However, the idpartnership between these countries seems premature, as

have an interest in or capacity to forge this kind of formal aPoland. Instead of high level political declarations, there isday-to-day cooperation and grassroots work to prepare the chapter in bilateral ties. Both sides should engage more vkey levels: government to government, business to businepeople contacts.

2. Regular dialogue and exchange of visits must be continued aHigh level visits play an important role in raising mutual profiles of Poland and India as perspective partners, paving collaboration in various areas. Also, a more active and effectin forging EU external and strategic policy is necessary in ogenuine interest of India in bilateral cooperation. Without avoice on crucial issues in the EU policy towards India (FTA reform, strategy on South Asia, counter-terrorism, etc.) therevalue for India in having a separate partnership with Poland

3. Economic cooperation shows the greatest potential for short-teApart from traditional sectors (defence, mining, power) innovative areas offer great opportunities for future coinclude green technology and renewables, joint R&D, phabiotechnology, IT, and waste management and sanitation.FTA may boost Poland-India trade and investments To rea

India and Poland: Vistas for Future Partnership


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joint initiatives and exchange of experts, businessme

A strengthened, upgraded and regular Poland-India Roueminent figures, former diplomats, and representativesbecome a major tool for forging common understandinginitiatives on a wide range of issues of mutual concern. Amechanisms of strategic dialogues between businessFICCI/CII and KIG), defence industries, and civil societiecooperation in specific areas.

6. Stronger people to people ties are indispensible partnership between Poland and India. To empower sourgent need to liberalise the visa regime and improve procedure for Indian nationals. Strengthened cueducational exchanges and contacts between opinion lefrom both states would be essential in order to raise awpartners. The ambitious Polish Institute programme ischolarship schemes for Indians, or a promotional proPoland as a tourist destination could all help to reinvigo

The Polish Institute of International Affairs6


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I. Towards a New Chapter in Poland-India relatio

A general consensus among participants was that there is a sig

potential for closer strategic, defence and economic cooperation between

The majority view was that Poland-India relations had been neglected d

decades, and that it is now an opportune time to open a new chapter in these

the fastest growing economy in the EU and has just successfully concluded i

European Council. India is one of the worlds biggest economies, with a ra

rate (8% GDP in the last decade), and is on a verge of becoming a global powcloser engagement put forward the following arguments:

Long history of friendly relations with no bilateral problems. Thand a history of positive records in politics, economy, defencscience during the Cold War era, there are favourable founstrengthened ties can be built.

Shared values and similar experiences. Both countries are principles of democracy, human rights and freedom, and both ha

experience of transition to a market economy since the early 90a colonial past, and crucial historical similarities between Polastruggles for independence, experiments with socialism, non-vsuch as Satyagraha and Solidarity, etc.) provide a strong founcooperation.

Polands position as a regional leader. Poland is the sixth largest eand Indias biggest trading partner in Central Europe. With itfundamentals and good growth prospects, it is prospective eco

investment destination in this part of the world. Being a new EU Ma voice that is being heard better in Brussels, it can also be more atan additional gateway to the European Union.

Evolution of the international system. In the emerging multi-polais to be among the global powers. However, its real influence whaving close partners among regional leaders. Poland, which partnership with China in late 2011, is more willing to expand its pbe more active globally. This opens new avenues for Poland-Indstrategic and global issues. Growing synergies of economic anddeserve closer evaluation.



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On the other hand, several concerns about the limits for closer en

Some of the important arguments were put forward in this context includ Low priority. Both countries have traditionally focused their fo

neighbourhoods and relations with global powers, naturally rcooperation to lower positions on their respective agendas. Todaylittle recognition of the value and potential of Warsaw in New D

Low visibility. The limited level of political, economic and culpast two decades means that the majority of Indians doknowledge of Poland, and that India is relatively unknown to thThis knowledge gap preserves old stereotypes held in both more cooperation in many sectors.

Structural differences. Huge discrepancies in population, economic and political complicate joint actions in various fmore difficult for Poland, as a smaller partner, to attract atteengage in cooperation as an equal. One question that still neewhy India might be interested in a closer relationship with Pol

II. Prospects for Strategic Partnership?



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perspective, Poland could become the fourth strategic partner for India in th

EU as a whole), but the first one in Central Europe.

Several arguments were presented in support of Polands value as a

India, stating that Poland:

is the largest economy and the most populous state in the region

offers an increasingly attractive investment market

has stable economic growth

shares a democratic system

is not part of the eurozone

This argument was, however, confronted with more critical evalu

partners, who raised several doubts and concerns regarding Polands pote

partner for India. According to one, there are different motivations (ec

defence) behind Indias numerous strategic partnerships, but none of these

role in relations with Poland. Current trade volume, although growing, is s

strategic interests do not always converge; and Polands growing influence w

clearly visible from New Delhi (except for the Eastern Partnership). Polandimportant directions of European foreign policy (ESDP, strategy towards As

reform) makes many in India question what the additional value of a strateg

Poland over that with the EU could be.

Other factors were presented as possible obstacles for a Poland

including:

problems with issuing visas for Indian nationals

no direct flights between the two countries small Indian diaspora in Poland

knowledge deficit and little mutual understanding

limited people-to-people contacts

Discussions also raised the issue of Indias limited capacity to get invo

strategic partnership. Indian speakers pointed at some internal constraints i

stand in the way of this partnership with Poland. The two most crucial issue

context were:Strategic partnership fatigue. Having around 20 strategic partners, In

already more reluctant to take on more commitments of this kind, and the c

partnership has itself come under critical evaluation in India in recent year

disillusionment with the effectiveness and deliverables of many of Indias cu

To many, this arrangement, although fashionable, now seems to be overu



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III. Bilateral defence cooperation

Defence procurements and military cooperation were traditiona

Indian-Polish relations. India is still one of the major export markets for P

largest importer of armaments in 2011, this field offers even greater future

enjoys a good reputation as a traditional arms supplier to India, and is exp

the modernisation and up-grading of out-dated, post-Soviet equipmen

military equipment at competitive prices. Indian partners especially approf Polish companies to engage not only in selling arms, but also in techno

research and development.

Important barriers to prosperous cooperation in the defence secto

lengthy, and not always transparent procurement procedures, tough

biggest arms exporters and special government track for the most impo

accessible to Polish companies. In order to minimise these constraints, it w

firms should find a niche in specialised equipment and assemblies

electronic warfare, etc.) and look for smaller opportunities rather than Also, joint ventures with Indian partners and constant presence an

increase chances for commercial success in India. According to one vie

draw the attention of the Indian army to the equipment that has been

operations in Afghanistan, such as the Rosomak armoured vehicle.

Th l l id f f th b ti



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IV. Bilateral Economic Cooperation

The 2010 trade turnover of $ 1.3 billion, and minimal two-way FDIs

real potential of Poland and India, both being among worlds top 20 econo

business concentrates the majority of its activities in the EU and close neig

experts admitted that Poland was not yet fully recognised in India as a busi

was pointed out that the areas with the best prospects for cooperation are d

exploration, machinery, green technology and renewables, joint R&D, phbiotechnology, IT, and waste management and sanitation. Poland, whic

Investment Report (2011) rankedsixth among the most attractive investmen

world, should be considered more seriously by Indian companies.

According to the Polish Agency for Information and Investment

opportunities for cooperation with India lie in four sectors: supplying mach

the pharmaceutical industry and medical equipment, supplying equipment f

and systems and technology transfer in clean energy. It was noted with reg

PAIiIZ doesnt run any promotional programme focused deliberately on More promotional activities both in Poland and India would be necessary i

new initiatives in bilateral trade and investments. According to Indian par

Free Trade Agreement, once concluded, would also be a positive deve

rejuvenate Indian-Polish economic cooperation.

Th l ifi id f t th i i



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V. Poland and Indias Perspectives on Regional Ch

Discussions about regional challenges focused on three current

Afghanistan, terrorism, and the Arab Spring. Opinions expressed d

displayed important differences between Poland and India in their re

Being part of Europe, Poland shares the EU perception of threats on a num

terrorism, the situation in Afghanistan, climate change, etc.), but these are

shared by India. Having a diverse understanding of challenges, a comm

often seems impossible. For example, India and Europe were for years inccloser cooperation and joint initiatives, despite the EUs visible presence

the Indian Ocean, Nepal, Sri Lanka).

It was noted that Poland usually adheres to the EU position on

makes its voice less audible in New Delhi. This, according to one Indian

value of Poland as an important partner, and weakens the added value

partnership over that which India already has with the EU. At the same tim

rising role in the EU, does not translate, from an Indian perspective, into

direction of important European foreign and security policy. Adherencpolicy, often inconsistent or even absent, limits Polands room for manoe

one Polish speaker, for example, that this situation is taking place in So

waiting for a coherent and active EU strategy. This was, however, oppose

that the lack of an EU strategy toward the region may actually free Pola

propositions and play a more visible role in the region.

An example which most vividly exposed the differences between

India was the reaction to the Arab Spring in 2011. While Poland was ve

response visible, and showed willingness to share its transition experien

India was more reluctant to take a clear position. The enthusiasm of Euro

changes in the region, and their belief that the end of dictatorships will

liberal democratic societies, was not shared by Indians, who have had m

final outcome of the revolution. The Indian response was grounded in its

that each society would have its own system of good governance and its o

opposition to this, the EU reaction was seen in India as the pursuanc

behind the application of normative power. The distinction also tran

understanding of the idea of promoting democracy. India, in line with

non-interference and national sovereignty, takes the position that d

imported from abroad, and any active support for democracy from outsid

does not, however, exclude possible

cooperation on concrete engagement

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VI. Concluding Remarks

The conclusions that some kind of enhanced partnership between

possible, and that both countries should strengthen their cooperation a

unambiguous. Given the low level of current interaction, and visible diffe

regarding many international issues, it may be premature to be talking

partnership at this point. Instead, there is a need for more meetings and colevels: government to government, business to business and people to peopl

that continuation of experts meetings, such as this one, between PISM and

in order to bridge the information gap and increase mutual understanding.



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Agenda

III PISM ICWA Roundtable:


17.05.2012 (Thursday)

08.45 am 09.30 am Openning Remarks:

Beata Wojna,Research Director, Polish Institute of Inter

Warsaw

Ms. Manika Jain,Director, Indian Council of World AffaMonika Kapil Mohta, Ambassador of the Republic of Ind

Key-note address:

Jerzy Pomianowski,Undersecretary of State, Ministry of

09.30 am 10.45 am Session 1:Exploring Strategic Partnership between Pol

in the multi-polar World

Speakers: Pawe Milewski,Department of Asia and the Pacific, MProf. Rajendra K Jain, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New

Prof. Maria Krzysztof Byrski, Faculty of Oriental Studie

Chair Patryk Kugiel, Polish Institute of International Affairs

10.45 am 11.15 am Coffee break

11.15 am 12.30 am Session 2:Vistas for Bilateral Defence and Economic C

Speakers: Dr. Vijay Sakhuja,Director Research, ICWA, New Delh

Adam Maecki,Polish Information and Foreign Investme

Prof. Gulshan Sachdeva,Jawaharlal Nehru University, N

Chair Artur Gradziuk,Head of International Economic Relatio

Program, PISM

12.30 am 1.30 pm Lunch

1.30 pm 2.45 pm Session 3:Poland and Indias Perspectives on Regional

Situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Arab Spring and

Speakers: Dr. Jakub Zajczkowski,Centre for Contemporary India

Warsaw University

P f Sh ik t P j U i i f P I di


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ISBN 978-83-62453-39-9

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India and Poland- Vistas for Future Partnership, Ed. P. Kugiel, Warszawa 2012

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