Wreath laying, bilateral meetings, & talks with Indians: PM Modi’s itinerary for Day 1 of Poland visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Poland from August 21 to 23.

At the invitation of his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, the historic visit will mark the first by an Indian prime minister in 45 years.

It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Warsaw and New Delhi in 2024.

PM Modi’s schedule on Day one of the visit

The Prime Minister embarked for Poland on Wednesday morning at 9.30.

He will arrive at Warsaw Military Airport at 1400 Polish local time (5.30 pm IST), where he will receive a ceremonial welcome.

PM Modi will then pay homage to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial from 7.55 pm to 8.20 pm (IST).

The Jam Saheb of Nawanagar Memorial honours the memory of Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, the erstwhile Maharaja of Gujarat’s Nawanagar (now Jamnagar), as per NDTV. Often referred to as the “Good Maharaja,” he is renowned for his humanitarian deeds during World War II, having given shelter to hundreds of Polish children who were trying to flee the USSR.

He is also scheduled to pay tribute to two other memorials: the Monument to the Battle of Monte Cassino and Kolhapur Memorial from 8.30 pm to 9 pm.

Nagma Mohamed Mallick, the Indian Ambassador to Poland, told ANI, “He will be the first Prime Minister to pay respects at all three memorials.”

She also mentioned that PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora in Poland, which is expected to be a “rousing meeting.”

The community event, which will begin at 11.20 pm and is expected to go on until 11.55 pm, will be attended by around 600 people at Hotel Sheraton, as per Times Now. According to News9, which cited MEA Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal, around 25,000 estimated Indians are living in Poland, of whom 5,000 are students.

During his visit, the PM will also hold meetings with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk.

“There are long-standing cultural ties between India and Poland, there is respect for Indian culture and ethos, including Yoga and Ayurveda. In addition to talks with Poland PM, Modi will also call on President Andrzej Duda,” Lal said at a special briefing on Monday.

After his Poland visit, PM Modi will depart for Ukraine on August 22 and arrive in Kyiv on August 23. Notably, this will be the first visit by the Indian PM to Ukraine after the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992.

During his brief visit, he will spend around seven hours in Ukraine and hold discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He will then return to Poland.

With inputs from agencies