New Delhi: India is right to pursue and strike terrorists where they are, as during Op Sindoor, Poland’s Ambassador to India Dr Piotr Antoni Świtalski said in an exclusive interaction with ThePrint, as the two countries look to deepen their defence partnership.
He also revealed that India has procured more Polish loitering munitions and tactical surveillance drones used during Op Sindoor to target terror infrastructure in Pakistan.
Identifying defence as a key area of cooperation, Świtalski said Poland is keen on partnerships between Indian and Polish defence companies.
He said an Indian firm is keen to set up an ammunition plant in Poland and discussions are under way.
“So, I can tell you on the record that the only link you can establish between Poland and what you call terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan is that Polish drones were used by the Indian Army to destroy this infrastructure,” the ambassador said.
He added, “According to independent sources and Pakistani sources, India extensively used Polish-made drones sold to India during the first night and first day of the Sindoor operation.”
Speaking further, the ambassador said, “And probably our drones were very successful, very effective, because the Indian Army has quite recently signed three new contracts. We will be supplying India with both attack drones and reconnaissance drones. Why? Because Polish drones tested in Ukraine are considered quite good.”
Responding to a query about India being upset over a joint statement issued by Poland and Pakistan in November last year that referred to Kashmir, he said it was a misunderstanding.
Świtalski added, “We have no real problem saying India is doing right in pursuing terrorists and hitting them.”
Also Read: ‘India is doing right, pursuing terrorists & hitting them,’ says Polish envoy Świtalski
Defence the focus
He said Poland wants not just to sell, but also to buy defence systems from India.
“We want to sell and buy Indian weaponry and military systems, unlike with any other country in the region, including Pakistan. And that is a statement which is, I think, in political terms, quite strong,” he said.
Responding to queries on defence cooperation, the Polish ambassador said officials from the two defence ministries would be meeting soon.
“You know, there are different ideas in the discussion. Very concrete ideas. Of course, I don’t want to disclose everything… For instance, one example I can give you, because it’s on the table: one big Indian company wants to build a huge munitions factory in Poland. And it’s serious. And it’s very concrete”, the ambassador said.
“Do we need munitions? Yes, we do. We neglected the issue. Our arsenals suddenly look empty,” he said.
He added that there are “interesting and very concrete ideas” under discussion by both sides.
However, he said that at times partnerships may not materialise despite intentions.
Świtalski said Poland’s state-run company was looking for a partner in the electric vehicle sector.
“For instance, it’s not a secret that our state company in Poland is looking for a partner on electric vehicles. We initially looked at China, but it didn’t work out. Don’t ask me why. So, of course, we look to India,” Świtalski said.
“But Indian companies do not currently see a place for Poland and for Europe as such in their strategy. Then, probably, we will go to Vietnam, although our preference is India. We understand you have different business strategies. Why should you suddenly change them because Poland is interested? So, no offence,” the ambassador added.
(Edited by Shashank Kishan)
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