Stopping over at Vienna after visiting Moscow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined new opportunities that were emerging toward intensifying cooperation between India and Austria. "In the joint statement issued with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, PM Modi said they were committed to giving strategic direction to the bilateral ties." Issues discussed between both leaders ranged from global geopolitics to, in particular, the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, with emphasis on finding peaceful solutions.
PM Modi said that these facets of India-Austria ties reflect the deepening of trust and mutuality of interests based on values—democracy, rule of law, aversion to terrorism, and the need for reforms in institutions like the United Nations so that problems of the contemporary world may be effectively addressed.
It was special in its own way, as PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Austria in the past 41 years. A ceremonial welcome will be extended to him at Federal Chancery, and he will have private talks with Chancellor Nehammer, who termed the visit a great honor. Responding to the warm hospitality from Austria, PM Modi looked forward to further discussions on how the full potential of the bilateral partnership could be realized.
The span of engagement by India in Austria, due to specified activities PM Modi had scheduled with the President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen, business leaders of both nations, and interaction with the Indian diaspora living in Vienna, became visible.
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