Poland backs India's bid for NSG membership, UNSC seat

Poland on Thursday assured India of its support to New Delhi's bid for membership in the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council.

This was conveyed by Polish Prime Minister Beata Syzdlo to Vice President Hamid Ansari when the two leaders met here to discuss issues of bilateral and mutual interests.

The two countries signed an agreement in the agriculture sector and agreed that there was much scope to increase cooperation in railway and defence sectors as well as in areas like food processing, solar energy, clean coal, treatment of solid waste.

The agreement was signed by Minister of State of Small Industries Giriraj Singh and Polish Agriculture Minister Krzystof Jurgiel in presence of Ansari and Syzdlo. Ansari thanked Polish leadership for its support to India's bid for NSG membership, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) issue and a permanent seat in the expanded UN Security Council.

"We are happy to have Poland's support for India's claim for permanent membership of an expanded UN security council," Ansari said as he appreciated the support extended by Poland to India's membership of the MTCR.

Poland is a member of the 48-nation NSG, a group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.

"For past few decades, India and Poland relations are growing with a good pace. Today my talks with the prime minister of Poland was very productive and we discussed entire gamuts of our relationships," said Ansari.

Ansari said there was much scope to increase the bilateral cooperation especially in areas like mining, agriculture, civil aviation, food processing, solar energy, clean coal and other field. The two sides can also cooperate in railway and defence sectors, he added.