WARSAW, POLAND: Prime Minister Modi is visiting Poland and Ukraine from 21 August to 23 August.
Poland and India are emerging countries in the current international system. Both are rising economies that play significant roles in their respective regions, Europe and Indo-Pacific. They have common aims and objectives in the current international system, including economic growth and sustainable development. The Indian diaspora is significant in Poland, with about 10,000 to 15,000 Indians working in IT, finance, business, and academic institutions. As both are rising countries in a fractured world order, closer bilateral ties will benefit them in the long run. Therefore, this is the most appropriate time to accelerate bilateral relations, and strong cultural and societal relations could be the foundation of a long-term strategic partnership between the two countries. A better understanding and popularity of the shared history between India and Poland will accelerate societal ties.
COMMON HISTORY
Two incidents brought Indian and Polish societies together in the 20th century. First, during World War II (WWII), Russia and Germany attacked Poland in 1939 and divided it into two parts. The Polish government, led by General Sikorski, was in exile in London. Most of the Poles were deported to the USSR, these geopolitical developments severely affected the Poles, including women with children, orphans, and disabled adults. Meanwhile, Gen Sikorski approached Winston Churchill, then the UK’s Prime Minister, for shelter for the Poles. Churchill approached India, which was under British rule. The decision was made by Delhi to establish a camp in Valivade in the Kolhapur Presidency (now in Maharashtra), ruled by Bhosale Chatrapati. On the other hand, Maharaja (King) Jam Sahab Digvijay of Nawanagar (now Jamnagar, Gujarat) accepted to provide refuge to Polish children in a place called Balachadi in his kingdom, which led to settlements of Polish camps in India.
From 1943 to 1948, around 5,000 Poles lived in Valivade, and around 500 to 1,000 children lived in Balachadi until the war ended in Europe. There were camps, houses, schools, shops, and places for extracurricular activities for children and people in both settlements.
Polish refugees spent their safe, peaceful life with dignity in India. Many Poles left for London and other countries, and a few of them returned to communist Poland after the war ended in Europe. Similarly, Indian soldiers (from the 4th and 7th Infantry Divisions of the British Indian Army) and Polish soldiers (from the Polish II Corps) fought together in 1944 in the battle of Monte Cassino, Italy, also known as the Battle of Rome, against Nazi Germany during World War II. These historical incidences hold great value and have the potential to bring the two societies together. Even in 2022, after Russia’s attack of Ukraine, thousands of Indians, including students and the regular Indian diaspora, were stranded in Ukraine. India had to launch an operation called “Operation Ganga” to evacuate Indians from Ukraine and to its surrounding countries. India received good cooperation, and thousands of Indians were allowed safe passage through Polish territory.
ISSUES
Some resources dwell on these stories, including books, images, documentaries, and interviews of survivors available on the internet. For Jam Sahab Digvijay, a square was unveiled in October 2014 at the square of good Maharaja in the Ochota District, Warsaw, and there are eight primary and secondary schools named after Jam Saheb Digvijay in Warsaw. In November 2017, a plaque commemorating Kolhapur-Valivade was inaugurated in Warsaw. On the other hand, in India, there is a graveyard containing 78 Polish refugees and an obelisk in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The survivors have visited Balachadi and Valivade to remember the past and strengthen ties. The Indian embassy in Poland has been active in conducting several activities to spread the story amongst both societies, such as organising history exhibitions on shared history in educational institutions, exchange of school students, and hosting Polish Members of Parliament (MPs), regular visits to the square of Jam Sahab and plaque in Warsaw etc.
However, these things are largely unknown to Indians and Poles, except those who belong to the nearby Kolhapur or Jamnagar region, government officials, and some scholars in both countries. A square or plaque has limitations in spreading the story widely in public. Having regular exchanges on a day-to-day basis between Indian and Polish society, these stories must be primarily familiar and celebrated to achieve synergy and significant societal ties. Strong societal ties are important because both countries are engaging with one another in sectors such as business, education, and sci-tech cooperation etc.; there will be more bilateral engagement in future at all levels.
RECOMMENDATIONS
First, establish museums in the capital cities of both countries, showcasing the history of Polish settlements in India and the shared military history of the two countries. Second, the museum should have a community hall, an essential space to improve bilateral ties, hosting diplomatic receptions, cultural events, diaspora gatherings, programmes, etc. The community hall will also help cover the expenditure and generate revenue for the long-term sustainability of the museum. Third, these historical stories should be briefly included in the history curriculum to spread optimism and kindness in society. In the future, archival research through educational programmes can be initiated to trace the history of India and Poland—e.g., archival research project to seek historical connections between India and Poland, relations between two societies in history etc. The National Achieves of India in New Delhi is a rich source of historical evidences, where one can possibly find several historical documents regarding engagement between Poland and India, due to the establishment of a Polish consulate in Mumbai in 1933. Therefore, governments and state institutions such as the Indian Council of Cultural Relations of India, the Cultural Ministry of Poland, the Institute of Historical Memory (Instytut Pamieci Narodowej, Poland) and the historical museums in India and Poland should be interested in carrying forward this project.
BENEFITS
There are multiple benefits associated with this project: first, promoting shared history through joint exhibitions and educational programs in the museum can enhance mutual understanding and respect. Second, such historical museums in the capital cities of India and Poland would set an optimistic precedence between the two societies. Third, this project will be beneficial in enhancing Poland’s business relations with Gujarat and Maharashtra, which are prominent industrial corridors in India. Fourth, these museums will help spread positive stories, significantly bringing two societies closer together for future generations.
CONCLUSION
The historical and potential future ties between Poland and India are rich with opportunities for cooperation and mutual growth. By investing in shared cultural and historical projects, both countries can build a stronger, more resilient partnership that benefits their societies and enhances their standing in the international community.
Nihar K. Kulkarni is a PhD Researcher at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw, Poland.