Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi held its eighth strategic dialogue with its MoU partner in Poland, the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) on 24 November 2021. Speakers in the Inaugural Session included Amb. Vijay Thakur Singh, Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs, Mr. Sławomir Dębski, Director, The Polish Institute of International Affairs, Amb. Nagma Mallick, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Poland, and Amb. Adam Burakowski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to India.
2. In the Inaugural Session, the emphasis was placed on the importance of the ICWA-PISM dialogue which provides an opportunity to academic experts from both countries to share their perspectives on bilateral, regional and global developments. It was stated that both India and Poland have an important role in setting the agenda for global debates and, as global interest shifts towards the Indo-Pacific, it is important to discuss how this shift should progress, how fast it should move and how to manage that movement. It was highlighted that India and Poland are committed democracies and vibrant economies. These commonalities should be synergised to boost cooperation and greater closeness between the two countries. Defence cooperation, climate change and energy security are few areas that should be focused on for further cooperation between the two countries. DG, ICWA Amb. Vijay Thakur Singh noted that COVID-19 has been a big disrupter of this century and it was important to discuss how the post-COVID world will be different from the pre-COVID.
3. Session 1 on Changing Global Scenario – A Shift to Indo-Pacific was chaired by Prof. Gulshan Sachdeva, Professor, Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Speakers included Dr. Vivek Mishra, Research Fellow, ICWA and Dr. Wojciech Lorenz, Senior Analyst, PISM. Discussions were held on the dynamics within the Indo-Pacific region and the two sides shared their perspectives and understanding of the developments. It was highlighted that EU’s policy has added another dimension to the way the Indo-Pacific region is looked at with its focus on connectivity, trade and economics, and an assertive China. It was observed that, as a key objective of EU’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific is to build more resilient and sustainable global value chains by diversifying trade and economic relations, conclusion of BTIA between India and the EU could be a preferred path ahead.
4. Session 2 on Understanding Regional Dynamics was chaired by Dr. Patrycja Sasnal, Head of Research Office, PISM. Speakers for the session were Prof. Agnieszka Legucka, Senior Analyst, PISM and Dr. Anwesha Ghosh, Research Fellow, ICWA. It was observed during the discussions that Belarus-Poland border issue was not a migration crisis; rather, it is a border crisis. On Afghanistan, four fault-lines were identified - first, the Taliban and the rest of the country - where majority do not want to be governed by Taliban. Second, conflict between the Taliban and the National Resistance Front. Third, differences within the Taliban, particularly with the Haqqani group. Finally, looming conflict between the Islamic State of Khorasan and the Taliban - repeated attacks within the country indicate the Taliban’s interim government’s inability to ensure security in the country.
5. Session 3 on India-Poland Bilateral Relations – Way Forward was chaired by Amb. Anil Wadhwa, former Ambassador of India to Poland. Speakers included Dr. Ankita Dutta, Research Fellow, ICWA and Mr. Patryk Kugiel, Senior Analyst, PISM. It was highlighted that India and Poland share a long-standing relationship, defined by economic engagement, cultural links and high political contacts. India and Poland can explore the possibility of close collaboration not only at the government-to-government but also between the nodal institutes in both countries to develop new technologies for renewable energy. The establishment of a joint research fund could be considered, which could finance collaboration in scientific cooperation in the field of climate change, space, international terrorism, artificial intelligence etc. Sectoral strategic partnership, on the lines of Green Strategic Partnership with Denmark or Strategic Partnership on Water between India and the Netherlands, can be explored between the two partners.
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