Raju calls for strengthening Indo-Polish Defence ties

New Delhi, Jun 17 (UNI) In a sign of strengthening relations between India and NATO countries, Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju has expressed the hope that the defence ties between India and Poland are set to take off into an era of more participative cooperation.

He was speaking at a meeting with Polish Deputy Foreign Miniser Ryszard Schnepf, here yesterday.

An erstwhile member of Warsaw Pact countries, Poland had joined NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) in 1999 and the European Union (EU) in 2004.

Dr Raju commended Poland's significant participation in the Defexpo 2008 held here in February.

He said the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation signed in February 2003 during the visit of the Polish Prime Minister to New Delhi ensured consolidation of defence ties between the two countries.

Poland, which manufactures a large inventory of arms and ammunition, has been responsive to New Delhi's interests in the South Asian Region.

Under the 2003 MoU, the two countries have held three Joint Working Group meetings on defence cooperation, the last one in December 2007. The two countries periodically exchange high level visits.

Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor visited Warsaw as recently as in March this year.

UNI CS PM0610