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India-Poland pacts on healthcare, tourism

Sugandhi Ravindranathan

More scope for expansion of bilateral trade, says Kaczynski

Leaders agree to look at enhancing bilateral investments, trade and economic cooperation
Both countries renew commitment to fight terrorism

WARSAW: The goodwill generated in Spain by President Pratibha Patil’s visit continued in Poland with India and the European country signing two agreements here on Friday: one on cooperation in healthcare and medicine, and the other on tourism.

The documents were signed by Ashwani Kumar, Union Minister of State for Industrial Policy and Promotion; Jakub Szykc, Polish Secretary of State in the Ministry of Health; and Katarzyna Sobierajska, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Sport and Tourism, in the presence of Ms. Patil and Polish President Lech Kaczynski,

Earlier, addressing journalists, Mr. Kaczynski spoke of increasing India-Poland cooperation in European matters, particularly relating to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and in supporting peaceful assistance in Afghanistan.

Calling for closer ties between India and the European Union, Mr. Kaczynski said his country was “envious” of India’s growth rate — even though it had fallen from nine to seven per cent. “This is good not only for India but for the whole world,” said the leader of a country, which is facing recession and soaring unemployment.

“Our bilateral trade is $1 billion, but considering the country’s size, it is not much,” he said, “and there is more scope.”

In her reply, Ms. Patil, referring to the historic and long-standing ties between the two countries, said discussions with her Polish counterpart pointed to future cooperation in information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, tourism and the ongoing areas of defence, mining, education and culture. “Despite the current global economic downturn [our bilateral trade] is well under its full potential [and we] have agreed to look at ways of enhancing bilateral investments, trade and economic cooperation.”

The business and industry delegation held parallel meetings, while the Indo-Polish Parliamentary Group was promoting parliamentary exchanges, which would continue after the constitution of the new Lok Sabha.

Referring to the two countries’ role in United Nations’ peace missions as well as other areas of international concern such as climate change, WTO negotiations and terrorism, Ms. Patil said: “We renewed our commitment to fight terrorism ... and both our countries have had to suffer loss of lives at the hands of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.”

Pointing out that India had been suffering terrorism “from across the border” for more than two decades, she condoled with the gruesome murder of a Polish engineer by the Taliban in Pakistan in February 2009. She thanked Poland for its gesture following the Mumbai terror attacks last year.

While concluding her speech, Ms. Patil referred to her next stop Krakow as Poland’s culture capital, only to be corrected by Mr. Kaczynski, who said Warsaw was one too. “So you are doubly benefited,” she said with a smile.

Briefing the media later on the high-level meeting, Nalin Surie, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, said: “The ease of discussions between the leaders was like two friends talking.”

Among the areas of future cooperation is infrastructure. There is already a joint working group on defence. “Poland also has strength in software and hardware and we can benefit from that,” Mr. Surie said, adding yoga and Ayurveda were increasingly gaining a high profile here.

“India is trendy”

The Indian democratic system evoked genuine interest here, Mr. Surie said. “India is trendy in Poland, especially amongst the youth. Some Bollywood films have been shot here.”

C.M. Bhandari, India’s Ambassador, said while only 100 were expected at the business meeting, more than thrice the number turned up.

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