Poland wants 25,000 doctors and nurses, invites Indians to apply for visa
As Narendra Modi left for Poland — the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the European country in the past 45 years — Dariusz Jonski, a Polish politician and member of the European Parliament, clearly stated one of the country’s demands from India: 25,000 doctors, nurses and healthcare specialists.
“We would like to talk about health care because we right now need about 25,000 doctors and specialists. So if some doctors and specialists would like to learn a Polish language and pass the exams. We would would like to talk about Poland and work here. We would like to talk about IT sector because Poland is the top five and would like to cooperate with Indian companies,” he told ANI, a news agency.
India-Poland bilateral trade and investment
India and Poland maintain substantial bilateral trade, valued at approximately $6 billion, making Poland India’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Indian investments in Poland are estimated at around $3 billion, while Polish investments in India total about $1 billion. Numerous Indian companies operate in Poland across various sectors, including information technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and electronics.
Meanwhile, nearly 30 Polish companies have a business presence in India, with some even establishing manufacturing units in areas like hygiene products, cosmetics, and metal packaging.
Direct flights between India and Poland, launched in 2019, have further strengthened economic ties. Poland also has a significant Indian community, estimated at 25,000, including 5,000 students. Notably, Poland played a crucial role in assisting with the evacuation of over 4,000 Indian students from Ukraine during Operation Ganga in 2022.
A brief history of India-Poland ties
Poland adopted a democratic system in 1989 and since then it has had strong ties with India. The two countries shifted to trading in hard currencies, a practice supported by increasing trade volumes as both economies expanded.
In the current century, a friendly political relationship has developed, especially following Poland’s accession to the European Union in 2004, making it a significant economic partner for India in Central Europe.
Recent interactions between countries
India’s External Affairs Minister visited Poland in 2019, followed by a visit to India by Poland’s then Foreign Minister, Zbigniew Rau, in 2022. The Chairperson of the India-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group, Kinga Gajewska, visited India in 2021.
Regular Foreign Office Consultations also take place between the two countries, with the 10th round held in Warsaw in December 2022. Additionally, the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA) and the Polish Institute for International Affairs maintain a regular Strategic Dialogue, with its ninth session held in Warsaw last year.