Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Austria, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in over 40 years. The last Indian leader to visit Austria was Indira Gandhi in 1983. PM Modi’s arrival follows his landmark visit to Russia, highlighting the significance of his European tour.
During his stay in Vienna, PM Modi will meet with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold discussions with Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The leaders will address business executives from both India and Austria, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation and tackling various geopolitical challenges.
The visit aims to deepen the relationship between the two nations, with an emphasis on shared values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. PM Modi highlighted these principles as the foundation for building a closer partnership between India and Austria.
PM Modi is also set to interact with members of the Indian community in Vienna, strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Reflecting on past engagements, PM Modi met with then-Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, now the Foreign Minister, during the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021. This interaction laid the groundwork for furthering bilateral discussions.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra recently described Austria as a crucial central European country offering significant opportunities for collaboration in infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology, start-ups, media, and entertainment sectors.
PM Modi’s visit to Austria is expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation and mutual growth, setting a new direction for India-Austria relations.
