India-Poland treaty on assistance in criminal matters receives Cabinet approval

Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved India and Poland treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters on December 15, 2021.

Key Facts

• This treaty is aimed at enhancing capability and effectiveness of India as well as Poland in investigation and prosecution of crimes through mutual legal assistance. It will also include crimes related to terrorism.
• It also seeks to enhance effectiveness in investigation and prosecution of crime, through mutual legal assistance.
• With respect to transnational crime and its linkages to terrorism, the treaty will provide a legal framework for a bilateral cooperation with Poland in investigation and prosecution of crime.
• It will also provide for bilateral cooperation in tracing, restrain and confiscation of proceeds & instruments of crime including funds meant to finance terrorist acts.
• The treaty will also increase the effectiveness of India in tackling criminal activities by involving Poland.

India-Poland relations

India and Poland established their diplomatic relations in 1954. Following this, India opened its Embassy in Warsaw in 1957. Both the countries shared common ideological perceptions on the basis of their opposition to colonialism, racism and imperialism. Bilateral relations between both were close and cordial during 1944 and 1989, supported by regular high-level visits, planned trade and economic interactions among state trading organizations.  A cordial political relationship has emerged between them in recent years, especially after Poland joined the European Union in 2004. Following this, Poland became India’s key economic partners in Central Europe.

Economic & Commercial Relations

Poland is the largest trade partner and export destination of India, in the Central European region. Bilateral trade has increased to seven-fold in last ten years. Indian investments in Poland stands at more than USD 3 billion, while Polish investment in India is at USD 672 million.

Cultural Ties

There is a tradition of Indology studies in Poland. Polish scholars having translated Sanskrit into Polish in 19th Century.  In 2019, Polish Mission organised the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. On June 21, 2015, the first International Day of Yoga was organized across 21 cities in Poland.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2021