Trade, defence and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to dominate Modi-Tusk talks on October 22

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk greet each other during a European Union leaders summit on October 16, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters

Building trade and defence ties as well as discussing the war in Ukraine will be at the top of the agenda as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (October 22, 2026). Mr. Tusk visited India in 2010, during his previous tenure as Poland PM, and in 2017 when he was President of the European Council. Among other outcomes, Delhi and Warsaw are focusing efforts to double bilateral trade, which is at about $6 billion at present, with the India- European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) due to be signed in December expected to give it a fillip. 

Mr. Tusk will also travel to Bengaluru on Friday (October 23).

“The visit will provide the opportunity to further strengthen the India-Poland Strategic Partnership and advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, defence, emerging technologies, renewable energy, education, culture and people-to-people ties,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in an announcement about the visit.  “It would also serve to deepen the India-EU strategic partnership,” it added, signalling the upcoming India-EU Summit for signing of the FTA on December 16, when Mr. Modi is expected to travel to Brussels. Mr. Tusk is accompanied by Mr. Andrzej Domanski, Minister of Finance and Economy, and a large business delegation, the Ministry said.