The second edition of the Jamsaheb Memorial Youth Exchange Programme was successfully completed from 7 to 14 October 2026, involving a 19-member Polish youth delegation that visited Gujarat, Maharashtra, and New Delhi. The programme focused on visits to sites of shared historical significance, cultural engagements, and interactions with senior Indian leadership, including institutions showcasing India's scientific, economic, and cultural development.
The exchange programme was originally announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his state visit to Poland in August 2024 and forms part of the Five-Year Action Plan (2024–2028) for the India–Poland Strategic Partnership. The programme envisages annual exchanges of Polish youth to India, providing participants opportunities to explore the country's history, culture, institutions, and contemporary development.
A significant highlight was the delegation's visit to the Balachadi Polish Children's Camp Memorial in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which commemorates the humanitarian contribution of Maharaja Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji Jadeja who provided refuge, education, and medical care to Polish children displaced during World War II. The delegation also visited the Valivade Polish Refugee Camp Memorial in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, which similarly commemorates refuge provided to thousands of Polish refugees during and after the war.
In New Delhi, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya hosted the delegation for an interaction over dinner, discussing India's approach to youth development and participation. The delegation also called on External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to discuss India-Poland relations and the role of youth exchanges in strengthening bilateral ties. Additional visits included Dandi Kutir in Gandhinagar and Kirti Mandir in Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.
The programme reinforced the historical foundations of India-Poland friendship dating back to World War II humanitarian efforts and emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in fostering mutual understanding between the two countries.
This content describes a cultural and diplomatic exchange programme without containing financial, economic, or market-relevant data. This content may not be financially relevant.