Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Austrian Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker in New Delhi today. During the meeting, India and Austria exchanged several agreements and documents, including an MOU on Food Safety, a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Cooperation and Military Matters, and an LOI on Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.
Addressing the Joint Press Briefing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation and sustainability. Mr Modi also expressed happiness that Mr Stocker chose India for his first foreign visit outside Europe. He added that this reflects Mr Stocker’s vision and his commitment to India-Austria relations. Mr Modi also said that his visit will boost trade and investment between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi said that India, with its speed and scale combined with Austria’s expertise, will ensure reliable technology for the world. He highlighted that India’s talent holds the capacity to boost Austria’s innovation and productivity. Mr Modi added that the India-Austria Working Holiday Programme is also being launched to promote youth exchange between the two nations. He emphasised that both countries will also strengthen their partnership in areas including Defence, semiconductors, quantum, and biotechnology.
Further, Austrian Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker termed his visit to India a milestone for Austria-India relations. He said that the diplomatic relations between Austria and India is much stronger than ever before. He also said that India is one of the most important trading partners outside the European Union for Austria, and bilateral trade has been developing very positively and has increased to about 3 Billion Euros in the last 10 years.
Mr Stocker said that 160 Austrian Companies are active in the Indian Market in many important sectors, including Semiconductor Production, renewable energy, automotive and Infrastructure. He emphasised that it shows that the friendship between the two countries is very broad-based. The Austrian Chancellor also underlined that India has an impressive GDP growth rate of about seven percent per year, and it is one of the most dynamic global markets and a key strategic partner for his country.
Mr Stocker said that the world is living in an age of geopolitical upheaval and disruption. He asserted that power centres are shifting, new alliances are being created, and conflicts are becoming more complex. He underlined the need for stability, trust, and reliable partnerships as a strategic necessity in the current scenario, highlighting India as a reliable partner for Austria. He said that at a time when geopolitical challenges are getting stronger, such partnerships are even more valuable.
Earlier today, Mr Stocker and his wife, Gerda Stocker Legenstein, laid a wreath paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. This is the first visit of Chancellor Stocker to India. This is also his first official visit to Asia.
