4 min. read

Explore the unique ties between Billennium and India in this new documentary

Pune is home to numerous tech companies, but only one where office rooms bear the names of Polish cities, and employees greet each other with “Hello, Dzień dobry.” Billennium’s exceptional bond with India is captured in the documentary Stories from India, written and directed by Justyna Szubert-Kotomska to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and India. Available on TVP VOD, the film documents the efforts of Polish companies working alongside local partners in India and the remarkable contributions of Polish migrants shaping communities and driving development in the country. 

Thirty years ago, Central Europe was not on India’s business radar. It was seen as a region with limited investment prospects. Today, the landscape has transformed. More than 20 Polish companies have set up operations in India, with cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune now hailed as prominent global IT hubs. Recognizing India’s immense potential as a technology leader, Billennium’s CEO, Bartosz Łopiński, explained the company’s strategic decision to invest there:

“In the IT world, India is the capital of the world. Pune is considered the Oxford of India —a hotspot for top talent. Establishing operations here was a natural choice given the country’s unique pool of specialists. India has become our gateway to global growth.” 

The business ties between Poland and India have deep historical roots. From the Rajdoot motorcycle and Escorts’ agricultural tractors to Gujarat’s famous Amul dairy using Polish machinery, Polish contributions to India’s economy have been evident for decades. Since the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Poland in August 2024—the first such visit in 45 years—bilateral relations have soared to new heights. Efforts are currently centered on promoting Polish technologies, particularly within the investment, energy, trade, space technology, and IT sectors. 

Today, India is the world’s leading exporter of IT services and software solutions fueled by the growth of industries such as fintech, health tech, and artificial intelligence. As Billennium’s CEO jokingly remarks, “When we opened an IT branch in India, people said we were bringing wood to the forest—India is synonymous with IT.” Bangalore, often called the “Silicon Valley of India“, alone boasts 1.5 million IT specialists. The story of Billennium and other Polish companies reveals a different outlook. India swiftly identified Poland as an economically important and promising European partner capable of contributing to its technological development and serving as a valuable market for growth.  

However, building a successful business presence in India goes beyond managing operations remotely; it demands full immersion in the local community. Patience and respect for Indian culture are key to navigating this environment. As Bartosz Łopiński observes, “In India, personal relationships hold great importance. You need to spend time with people in order to build trust — it’s essential. While some aspects can be frustrating, particularly the relaxed approach to time and agreements, it’s not a matter of unreliability — it’s simply a cultural difference.”  

Despite varying approaches to time and contractual obligations, Poland and India share significant similarities grounded in tradition, family values, and historical experiences, as portrayed in Stories from India. The documentary highlights, through compelling examples of humanitarian and business work, how collaboration and empathy can profoundly impact individuals and communities. Billennium’s partnership in India is living proof of how these shared values create a foundation for successful and transformative projects. 

Watch “Stories from India” on TVP VOD: HERE