Poland has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic influence in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Deputy Foreign Minister Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski saying the Indian leader is among the few global statesmen whose views are taken seriously by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Bartoszewski said India's long-standing relationship with Russia places New Delhi in a unique position to help reduce tensions and bring about a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war.
'Putin Pays Attention to PM Modi'
In light of India's long history with Russia, the Polish minister told reporters that President Putin has listened carefully to Prime Minister Modi's views.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a very well-known world statesman who is very respected, and India has a long-standing relationship with the Russian Federation and, before that, with the Soviet Union as a non-aligned nation. President Putin actually pays attention to what Prime Minister Modi tells him," Bartoszewski said.
He added that Modi is one of the few international leaders who can exert significant influence on the Russian president.
"Prime Minister Modi is one of the few people who can actually exert some pressure and influence on President Putin, and that is clearly something India could do to help stop this conflict," he said.
Poland Credits India for Promoting Restraint
Bartoszewski also referred to developments in late 2022, stating that PM Modi played an instrumental role in persuading Russia against using tactical nuclear weapons during the war.
According to him, calls for restraint are more effective when they come from countries that Russia does not view as hostile.
He also mentioned China as a country whose leadership still commands attention in Moscow along with India.
"Everyone is against escalation, not only India with Prime Minister Modi but also China’s Xi Jinping. It is important, especially when it comes from countries that are not seen as hostile to Russia. So the role of India here is very important,” he said.
Poland says oil differences with India have been resolved
The Polish minister also said Warsaw and New Delhi have largely moved past their differences over India's imports of discounted Russian crude oil.
While Poland had previously criticised India’s purchases because they contributed to Russia’s wartime revenues, Bartoszewski said Poland understood the economic rationale behind New Delhi’s decision.
"We understood the economic reason because the oil was being sold at a heavy discount, around 40 per cent below market prices. We had a different view because it was fuelling the Russian war economy, but we now understand each other's positions much better," he said.
Putin recently praised India's Independent Foreign Policy
The Polish minister’s remarks come weeks after President Vladimir Putin praised India’s independent foreign policy at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Putin said attempts by other countries to pressure India over its ties with Russia would be ineffective.
"Everyone has understood that putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India is detrimental for international relations and bilateral ties," Putin said.
He also supported India’s engagement with multiple global partners based on its interests.
The latest comments from Poland underline India's growing diplomatic importance in the Ukraine conflict, with New Delhi maintaining dialogue with Moscow and Kyiv and calling for peace through diplomacy and dialogue.
