Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a landmark visit to Austria from July 9-10, 2024, marking the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 41 years. The visit, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, saw Modi meeting with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and holding bilateral discussions with Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
During the visit, Modi and Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized shared values and committed to deepening bilateral, regional, and international cooperation. They agreed to upgrade their partnership strategically, focusing on sustainable economic and technology collaboration.
Discussions covered political and security cooperation, including support for a free Indo-Pacific and counter-terrorism efforts. The leaders exchanged views on global developments, particularly in Europe and West Asia, and discussed the Ukraine conflict. They also explored the strategic importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor initiative.
Modi and Nehammer both condemned terrorism in all forms and called for concerted action against terrorist groups.
Economic ties were a key focus during the meeting, with both leaders supporting ongoing India-EU trade negotiations and encouraging business-to-business engagement. Austria expressed keen interest in engaging with the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) project, launched during the G20 summit in Delhi in 2023.
The operationalization of a bilateral Migration and Mobility Agreement was welcomed to facilitate exchanges of skilled personnel. Efforts to promote bilateral cultural exchanges in music, dance, yoga, and other fields were appreciated.
The visit highlighted cooperation in innovation, start-ups, climate action, and environmental technologies, setting the stage for enhanced partnerships in various sectors including renewable energy, green hydrogen, and clean transportation.
Both leaders reiterated their commitment to achieving comprehensive UN reforms, including Security Council reforms. India supported Austria’s UNSC candidature for 2027-28, while Austria backed India’s candidature for 2028-29.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to climate neutrality, with Austria aiming for 2040 and India for 2070. PM Modi conveyed India’s invitation to Austria for its membership in the International Solar Alliance, which recently achieved an important milestone by welcoming its 100th member.
The visit concluded with PM Modi extending an invitation to Chancellor Nehammer to visit India, which was accepted. This historic visit has significantly strengthened the bilateral relationship between India and Austria, paving the way for enhanced cooperation across multiple domains.
