India-Poland Relations

During World War II an Indian king sheltered about a thousand Polish children in Gujarat. Poland has never forgotten it. This page tells that story and then follows the relationship up to the Strategic Partnership of 2024.

Think of four questions as you read. How did an Indian king shelter Polish children? When did formal ties begin? What happened during Modi’s 2024 visit? And what is happening now?

1How did an Indian king shelter Polish children?

World War II tore Poland apart. Thousands of Polish children lost their homes and families. Many were far from Poland, in exile.

Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Jadeja was the Maharaja of Nawanagar in Gujarat. He ruled from 1933 to 1966. He took in over a thousand Polish refugee children. (Source: San Diego Jewish World)

He set up a camp for them at Balachadi, on the coast near his palace. The children found food, a school and safety there.

Poland has not forgotten. Warsaw has a Good Maharaja Square named after him, with a memorial. (Source: DD News)

• Who: Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Digvijaysinhji.
• What: sheltered over 1,000 Polish children.
• Where: camp at Balachadi, Gujarat.
• Honour: Good Maharaja Square, Warsaw.

2When did formal ties begin?

India and Poland established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1954. India’s Embassy in Warsaw opened in 1957. (Source: MEA)

The 2004 entry of Poland into the European Union gave India a new gateway to Central Europe. Many exam options use 2004 as a trap for the date of ties.

The two countries also built a web of agreements over the years. These cover culture, science, defence, health and tourism.

• Diplomatic ties: 7 January 1954.
• Embassy in Warsaw: 1957.
• Poland joined the EU: 2004.

3What happened during Modi’s 2024 visit?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Poland on 21–22 August 2024. It was the first visit by an Indian PM in 45 years, since Morarji Desai in 1979. (Source: MEA)

Before the talks, Modi paid homage at memorials linked to the war-time story. These were the Jam Saheb memorial in Warsaw and a memorial linked to Kolhapur. (Source: ANI)

On 22 August he held talks with Polish PM Donald Tusk. They raised ties to a Strategic Partnership.

The two sides agreed on a five-year Action Plan for 2024 to 2028. It covers defence, agriculture, energy, green technology, infrastructure, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and mining. (Source: PIB)

Modi also announced that a Social Security Agreement had been agreed. It helps professionals who move between the countries. It was signed in Warsaw on 25 November 2024. (Source: Business Standard)

• Visit: 21–22 August 2024, first in 45 years.
• Last PM before: Morarji Desai, 1979.
• Status: Strategic Partnership.
• Action Plan: 2024–2028.

4What is happening now?

On 15 July 2026 India’s MSME Ministry held talks with a Polish delegation in New Delhi. India was represented by Secretary Bharat Khera. The Polish side was led by Deputy Minister Michał Baranowski. (Source: PIB)

The two sides reviewed a link between India’s NSIC and Poland’s PARP, the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. That engagement began in 2024.

Khera said trade has grown about threefold since 2013. He added that the new India-EU free trade agreement would strengthen ties further.

• MSME talks: 15 July 2026, New Delhi.
• Partnership: NSIC–PARP, begun 2024.
• Trade: about 3 times since 2013.

5What are the exam traps?

• Ties began 7 January 1954, not 2004.
• Strategic Partnership came in August 2024.
• Action Plan: 2024–2028.
• Last PM visit before Modi: Morarji Desai, 1979.
• Warsaw’s Good Maharaja Square honours the Jam Saheb.