Vienna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed his Austria visit “historic” and “immensely productive” and said it has added “vigor” to the two countries’ friendship. Wrapping up his visit to Austria – the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 41 years, PM Modi, in a post on X, said he was happy to have attended diverse programs in Vienna and thanked Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the Austrian government, and the people for their hospitality and affection.
PM Modi, who reached Vienna on July 9 evening from Moscow, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Federal Chancery. He was warmly received by Chancellor Nehammer who had last week called the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Vienna a “special honor” as it came at a time when the two countries are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Following their talks on July 10, PM Modi said that India and Austria have identified “new possibilities” to further strengthen mutual cooperation besides also deciding to give a strategic direction to their bilateral ties. In a joint statement along with the Austrian Chancellor, he said that he also held detailed discussions on the current geopolitical situation in the world, including the conflict in Ukraine or the situation in West Asia.
Concluding his visit with an address to the Indian diaspora in Vienna, he said that the world sees India with great hope and everyone across the globe wants to learn more about India. He also said that India and Austria, though geographically distant, have many similarities. “Democracy connects both countries (India and Austria). Our shared values are liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law. Our societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries, celebrate diversity, and a big medium to reflect these values are elections,” the PM said to loud cheers.
