2024-07-11 20:12:59
Vienna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Austria on a two-day visit. This visit is extremely important as it is the first visit of an Indian PM in four decades. This visit of PM Modi is taking place at a time when India and Austria are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations. After a two-day visit to Russia, PM Modi reached Vienna, the capital of Austria, on Tuesday. During this visit, both the countries will consider ways to further deepen their bilateral relations and closely cooperate on many geopolitical challenges. Earlier, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote in a post on X, ‘I am very much looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, the world’s largest democracy, to Vienna next week. This visit is a special honor as it is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister after 40 years. This is an important milestone as we are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations with India. We will have the opportunity to further deepen our bilateral ties and talk about close cooperation on many geopolitical challenges.’ In response to the Austrian Chancellor’s post, PM Modi wrote, ‘Thank you, Chancellor Karl Nehammer. It is indeed an honour to visit Austria to celebrate this historic occasion. I look forward to our discussions on strengthening the ties between our countries and exploring new avenues of cooperation.’
What will happen during the trip?
This is the first visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Austria. However, he has met the Chancellors of Austria before this. During this visit, PM Modi will meet the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Apart from this, he will hold delegation level talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Modi will meet business leaders of India and Austria. He will also interact with Indian expatriates in Vienna. This visit is expected to strengthen the relations between Austria and India. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, ‘This visit will help us to broaden our partnership along with helping us address issues of regional and global importance of mutual interest.’
What are the benefits of visiting Austria?
Kwatra said that Austria is a key country in Central Europe. Austria offers great opportunities for cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology, start-ups and media and entertainment. Kwatra said that it is an important Central European country. It is the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The visit comes a few months after the launch of the India-Austria Startup Bridge in February. The bridge aims to promote cooperation and knowledge sharing between startups in the two countries. According to a Financial Express report, bilateral trade between India and Austria stood at $2.93 billion in 2023. India sells electronics, textiles, footwear and chemicals to Austria. Austria sends machinery, automotive parts and chemicals.