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Why PM Modi visited Austria after Russia

Several NATO member states are unhappy with the world’s largest democracy for not following their euro-centric guidance, writes Prof. Madhav Das Nalapat

Visits overseas by the Prime Minister of the world’s most populous democracy, which is also prominent within the Global South as well as has the highest growth rate of any major country, are carefully thought out beforehand. Many have wondered why Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Austria after his Russia visit.

The first is a country firmly anchored in the West, although its founding principles imply a neutrality between Russia and the West. Joining NATO would be a clear breach of such a principle, which goes to explain why Austria is not a member of NATO while joining the European Union on 1 January 1995.

Having been excluded from the EU from the start, despite seeking to be a member since the Gorbachev years (1985-1991) as well as the post-USSR years when Boris Yeltsin was President of the successor Russian Federation (1991-1999). Interestingly, even Yeltsin’s successor Vladimir Putin sought entry into the EU, which would have meant the expansion of that bloc to the eastern peripheries of Asia, and of its coverage to practically the whole of Europe and half the land area of Asia.

However, the Franco-German alliance was opposed to the entry of the Russian Federation into the EU, as that would have displaced the alliance as the centre of gravity of EU policy. As for the UK, Neville Chamberlain was not the only British politician to dislike Russia, for a dislike of that country lies deep within the British psyche, and the UK joined with others in Europe who opposed the entry of Russia into the EU.

The list of Altanticist countries opposed to the entry of the Russian Federation into the EU includes the US, the President of which, Bill Clinton, after the collapse of the USSR sought to de-industrialise Russia and to denude the country of much of its top tier technical talent, which was shared between Washington and Beijing, with the PRC joining the US in managing a flow of technical talent from Russia into China through generous paycheques.

The intention behind both was to so denude Russia of its advanced technological capabilities that the Russian Federation would never be able to again pose a serious challenge to the PRC or the US. To this day, the effects of such a denudation are being felt in Russia, although during the past fifteen years, some scientists and technologists have returned to Russia, partly because both the US as well as China have been able to build their own cadre of such talent.

In contrast to the PRC and to the US, New Delhi never faltered on its support to Moscow, even going as far as to give the Russian Federation a bonanza by paying back Soviet-era loans during the 1990s at a much higher rate for the rouble than was the case at the time, when the rouble was almost worthless as a currency. Other debtor nations of the USSR either repudiated such debt as the USSR had collapsed in 1991, or paid back debts at the prevailing derisory value of the rouble.

Despite such a history of steadfastness in friendship with Russia, the PRC has been seeking to undermine confidence in India within the Kremlin by claiming that “India has forgotten Russia now that the US is so friendly” to the world’s largest democracy. A close personal relationship based on mutual respect for each other and mutual trust between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin ensured that such misinformation was politely listened to but unheeded.

The warmth of the meeting on 9 July between Putin and Modi showed that the friendship between not just the two leaders but the two countries remained on a firm track. Visiting Austria immediately after Russia showed that India remains close to the West despite its closeness with Russia.

As far as Moscow is concerned, just as India has always shown its reliability as a partner in times bad and good, a way of ensuring that trade between Russia and India could be carried out in roubles and rupees. Apart from the fact that the rupee is exchangeable for other currencies in several countries, India is an attractive destination for investment in Russia in several fields, including in making goods which can be sold to other countries by making use of the rising number of linkages between India and the rest of the world that have been built during the past decade.

Whether it be in pharma or in several other items, buying from India would ensure lower prices and better quality than buying the same items from China. The objective needs to be convertibility between the rouble and the rupee in Russia and India for a greater and greater proportion of the trade between the two countries to be in each other’s currency.

Along with the US and China, India and Russia form the quartet of Great Powers. President Putin is his own master and puts Russia first, just as Prime Minister Modi puts India first, hence Putin is strong enough to resist pressure from Xi Jinping to not switch over to trade in roubles and rupees. Xi wants it to be in RMB yuan as his currency would be strengthened thereby.

Given that bank after bank in China has collapsed under the weight of bad loans and been amalgamated into other banks, the RMB yuan itself is at risk of undergoing a significant devaluation. Hence a shift to rupees would be a better option than switching to RMB as suggested by Xi, which is unacceptable to India.

NATO has yet to adjust to the geopolitical realities of the present. European members of NATO that used to have empires in Asia a century ago consider it their right, indeed their duty, to lead Asian countries not in the direction best for themselves but on the path prescribed by NATO, paths that are often disastrous to not just their own interests within the Atlanticist community but to the rest of the world as well.

Several of the key policymakers in the Biden administration, barring the Department of Defence, have overwhelmingly have in the past confined their overseas travel to crossing the Atlantic and returning. Small wonder that they have a Euro fixation on Russia as a threat, which perception has become a reality brought back by their own actions. Japan and South Korea have been dragged by the Biden administration into following in the path of the Atlanticist powers, and both are paying a substantial price for such a move.

South Korea is watching as North Korea gets a boost from Russia and China covertly for its nuclear and space program. Despite protestations to the contrary, it is certain that Iran is developing nuclear weapons capability at speed, with the clerics aware that only such a capability would give Iran protection from an all-out assault by Israel, a formidable nuclear weapons power with an advanced defence manufacturing system.

NATO member states have failed in all the wars that they have conducted in Asia, including Vietnam and Afghanistan. It is obvious that Libya, Syria and Iraq have been left in shambles after kinetic intervention by key members of NATO such as the US, France and the UK. Each country is averse to the presence of Atlanticist troops on its territory and wants them out.

Prime Minister Modi has kept India away from such Cold War 1.0 style entanglements, which is why several NATO member states are unhappy with the world’s largest democracy. Sometime in the future, US policymakers in particular will understand that Asia is not Europe, and needs to be looked at through an Indo-Pacific and not an Atlanticist prism.

Expanding NATO into Asia and making it the core of Indo-Pacific defence makes no sense, for Asian countries primarily, not European, need to concert in the Indo-Pacific. Signs of such a change are visible, even within the Biden administration, that the realisation has begun to sink in that now is the era of Cold War 2.0. Perhaps such signs will be on display at the next Quad summit and during the Malabar exercises.

Visits overseas by the Prime Minister of the world’s most populous democracy, which is also prominent within the Global South as well as has the highest growth rate of any major country, are carefully thought out beforehand. Many have wondered why Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Austria after his Russia visit.

The first is a country firmly anchored in the West, although its founding principles imply a neutrality between Russia and the West. Joining NATO would be a clear breach of such a principle, which goes to explain why Austria is not a member of NATO while joining the European Union on 1 January 1995.

Having been excluded from the EU from the start, despite seeking to be a member since the Gorbachev years (1985-1991) as well as the post-USSR years when Boris Yeltsin was President of the successor Russian Federation (1991-1999). Interestingly, even Yeltsin’s successor Vladimir Putin sought entry into the EU, which would have meant the expansion of that bloc to the eastern peripheries of Asia, and of its coverage to practically the whole of Europe and half the land area of Asia.

However, the Franco-German alliance was opposed to the entry of the Russian Federation into the EU, as that would have displaced the alliance as the centre of gravity of EU policy. As for the UK, Neville Chamberlain was not the only British politician to dislike Russia, for a dislike of that country lies deep within the British psyche, and the UK joined with others in Europe who opposed the entry of Russia into the EU.

The list of Altanticist countries opposed to the entry of the Russian Federation into the EU includes the US, the President of which, Bill Clinton, after the collapse of the USSR sought to de-industrialise Russia and to denude the country of much of its top tier technical talent, which was shared between Washington and Beijing, with the PRC joining the US in managing a flow of technical talent from Russia into China through generous paycheques.

The intention behind both was to so denude Russia of its advanced technological capabilities that the Russian Federation would never be able to again pose a serious challenge to the PRC or the US. To this day, the effects of such a denudation are being felt in Russia, although during the past fifteen years, some scientists and technologists have returned to Russia, partly because both the US as well as China have been able to build their own cadre of such talent.

In contrast to the PRC and to the US, New Delhi never faltered on its support to Moscow, even going as far as to give the Russian Federation a bonanza by paying back Soviet-era loans during the 1990s at a much higher rate for the rouble than was the case at the time, when the rouble was almost worthless as a currency. Other debtor nations of the USSR either repudiated such debt as the USSR had collapsed in 1991, or paid back debts at the prevailing derisory value of the rouble.

Despite such a history of steadfastness in friendship with Russia, the PRC has been seeking to undermine confidence in India within the Kremlin by claiming that “India has forgotten Russia now that the US is so friendly” to the world’s largest democracy. A close personal relationship based on mutual respect for each other and mutual trust between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin ensured that such misinformation was politely listened to but unheeded.

The warmth of the meeting on 9 July between Putin and Modi showed that the friendship between not just the two leaders but the two countries remained on a firm track. Visiting Austria immediately after Russia showed that India remains close to the West despite its closeness with Russia.

As far as Moscow is concerned, just as India has always shown its reliability as a partner in times bad and good, a way of ensuring that trade between Russia and India could be carried out in roubles and rupees. Apart from the fact that the rupee is exchangeable for other currencies in several countries, India is an attractive destination for investment in Russia in several fields, including in making goods which can be sold to other countries by making use of the rising number of linkages between India and the rest of the world that have been built during the past decade.

Whether it be in pharma or in several other items, buying from India would ensure lower prices and better quality than buying the same items from China. The objective needs to be convertibility between the rouble and the rupee in Russia and India for a greater and greater proportion of the trade between the two countries to be in each other’s currency.

Along with the US and China, India and Russia form the quartet of Great Powers. President Putin is his own master and puts Russia first, just as Prime Minister Modi puts India first, hence Putin is strong enough to resist pressure from Xi Jinping to not switch over to trade in roubles and rupees. Xi wants it to be in RMB yuan as his currency would be strengthened thereby.

Given that bank after bank in China has collapsed under the weight of bad loans and been amalgamated into other banks, the RMB yuan itself is at risk of undergoing a significant devaluation. Hence a shift to rupees would be a better option than switching to RMB as suggested by Xi, which is unacceptable to India.

NATO has yet to adjust to the geopolitical realities of the present. European members of NATO that used to have empires in Asia a century ago consider it their right, indeed their duty, to lead Asian countries not in the direction best for themselves but on the path prescribed by NATO, paths that are often disastrous to not just their own interests within the Atlanticist community but to the rest of the world as well.

Several of the key policymakers in the Biden administration, barring the Department of Defence, have overwhelmingly have in the past confined their overseas travel to crossing the Atlantic and returning. Small wonder that they have a Euro fixation on Russia as a threat, which perception has become a reality brought back by their own actions. Japan and South Korea have been dragged by the Biden administration into following in the path of the Atlanticist powers, and both are paying a substantial price for such a move.

South Korea is watching as North Korea gets a boost from Russia and China covertly for its nuclear and space program. Despite protestations to the contrary, it is certain that Iran is developing nuclear weapons capability at speed, with the clerics aware that only such a capability would give Iran protection from an all-out assault by Israel, a formidable nuclear weapons power with an advanced defence manufacturing system.

NATO member states have failed in all the wars that they have conducted in Asia, including Vietnam and Afghanistan. It is obvious that Libya, Syria and Iraq have been left in shambles after kinetic intervention by key members of NATO such as the US, France and the UK. Each country is averse to the presence of Atlanticist troops on its territory and wants them out.

Prime Minister Modi has kept India away from such Cold War 1.0 style entanglements, which is why several NATO member states are unhappy with the world’s largest democracy. Sometime in the future, US policymakers in particular will understand that Asia is not Europe, and needs to be looked at through an Indo-Pacific and not an Atlanticist prism.

Expanding NATO into Asia and making it the core of Indo-Pacific defence makes no sense, for Asian countries primarily, not European, need to concert in the Indo-Pacific. Signs of such a change are visible, even within the Biden administration, that the realisation has begun to sink in that now is the era of Cold War 2.0. Perhaps such signs will be on display at the next Quad summit and during the Malabar exercises.

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PM Modi’s Name Drop Ignites Austrian Chancellor’s Online Buzz

PM Modi visited Austria, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years, as part of his two-nation tour including Russia….reports Asian Lite News

In what comes as fresh testimony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global appeal and popularity, a mere reference of him catapulted the traction on social media handles of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer to newer heights, precisely over 10-30 times in terms of views and likes.

PM Modi visited Austria, the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years, as part of his two-nation tour including Russia.

While both Russian and Austria gave a red carpet welcome to PM Modi, the Indian diaspora in both nations also gave him a rousing reception.

Meanwhile, what has caught the attention of Netizens is the spike in Chancellor Nehammer’s social media engagement, apparently because of reference to PM Modi.

The Austrian Chancellor’s two posts, one about welcoming PM Modi to Vienna and the other about a selfie with the latter received unprecedented likes and views.

The July 10 post by Chancellor Nehammer featuring a selfie with PM Modi received 3,100 reposts, 36,000 likes and 1.3 million plus views.

His other post tagging PM Modi and welcoming him to Austria, dated July 6, garnered 2,600 reposts, 23,000 likes and over 2.5 million views.

Both these posts garnered unprecedented traction.

A brief study of the Austrian Chancellor’s timeline shows his posts gather an average of less than 100 reposts, 300 likes and around 25,000 views.

Notably, PM Modi visited Austria after wrapping his landmark visit to Russia.

This was the first visit by an Indian PM to Austria in over 40 years.

It was late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who first visited the European nation in 1983.

On his visit to Austria, PM Modi was welcomed by Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Vienna airport.

Later, PM Modi was accorded a warm welcome by Chancellor Nehammer as the two met for a private dinner, before the official talks.

Both the leaders hugged each other and the Austrian Chancellor also clicked a selfie with PM Modi in a candid moment.

Sharing the pictures on his X handle, the Austrian Chancellor wrote, “Welcome to Vienna. It’s a pleasure and honour to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I look forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit.”

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PM Modi Seeks Austrian Investments

Prime Minister Modi called on the Austrian business stakeholders to look at the fast-unfolding opportunities in India…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor of Austria  Karl Nehammer, jointly addressed a group of leading Austrian and Indian CEOs from diverse sectors including infrastructure, automobile, energy, engineering and start-ups on Wednesday.

Both leaders acknowledged the role played by industry leaders in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting economic cooperation between India and Austria.

The leaders noted that trade and investment between the two countries has been increasing over the years and called for realising the full potential of the India-Austria partnership through greater collaboration.

Prime Minister Modi called on the Austrian business stakeholders to look at the fast-unfolding opportunities in India, as the country moves to become the third largest economy in the world over the next few years.

He noted that India had made transformative progress in the last ten years, and would continue on the same path given its strengths of political stability, policy predictability and its reform-oriented economic agenda.

The Prime Minister urged Austrian majors to leverage the Indian economic landscape for high-quality and cost-effective manufacturing under the Make in Inda programme both for the domestic and international market and as a global supply chain destination.

He spoke about India’s Production Linked Incentive scheme to attract global manufacturing companies in the fields of semiconductors, medical devices, and solar PV cells, among others.

He noted that India’s economic strengths and skills and Austrian technology were natural partners for business, growth and sustainability.

He invited Austrian businesses to utilise the investment opportunities in India and be a part of India’s stellar growth story.

He highlighted the steps taken by the government to improve the ease of doing business that was attracting global majors to India.

Talking about Indian economic growth and transformation, he noted India’s success in the field of start-ups, in the creation of next-generation infrastructure, and its commitment to forge ahead on the green agenda.

PM Modi also mentioned that the start-up bridge set up between India and Austria would yield substantial results. He suggested that the two countries should come together and organise a joint hackathon.

He further spoke about the success of Digital Public Infrastructure in the country and measures taken to improve connectivity and logistics.

India on Track for 3rd Largest Economy Status

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said India will be the 3rd largest economy in the next 3-4 years while the country’s exports would scale the $ 2 trillion export target by 2030.

Addressing the FICCI national executive committee meeting here, Goyal said: “With the rapidly growing start-up India initiative, growing infrastructure, investments in manufacturing which are creating a lot of opportunities for trade, business, jobs and exports. We will be the 3rd largest economy in the next 3-4 years.”

He also observed that the direction in which India was moving forward deeply resonates with what the industry wanted. India has a lot of untapped potential as the country heads towards becoming a global manufacturing hub.

He said that the government was working on getting India into global value chains, creating more and more global capacity centres working out of India so that services exports could be increased further.

“The government along with industry remains deeply committed to achieving $ 2 trillion export target by 2030. It is doable, achievable, with the right building blocks in place along with a strong macro economy to support it,” the minister said. 

He asserted that in order to achieve the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision, the industry has to come forward to collaborate and invest more in R&D, innovation and sustainability.

The government, he added, is in the process of finalising the ‘Jan Vishwas 2.0’. “How can we converge industry’s interest with national goals. A lot more needs to be done but we need you (industry) to come forward and give a balanced view on what is necessary along with the pain points regarding decriminalisation and reducing the compliance burden,” he noted.

Anish Shah, President, FICCI and Group CEO & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra highlighted the efforts undertaken by the government to make India a manufacturing hub. He also stated that substantial steps have been taken to lower the cost of doing business and improve the ease of doing business.

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Indian diaspora happy at PM’s upcoming Austria visit

Vikramjeet Singh from Punjab, who has been living in Vienna for 12 years said that PM’s visit will help in boosting tourism sector in Austria, “It is a very good thing that Modi is coming here,” Singh said…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian diaspora has expressed happiness at the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Austria and said that it’s a matter of pride that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting the country after 40 years.

Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Russia from Monday, reached a hotel in Moscow. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who received Modi at the airport, accompanied him to the hotel, where members of the Indian diaspora had gathered to welcome him.

After Russia, Modi will leave for Austria in what is the first visit to the nation by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years.

Samir, hailing from Maharashtra said, “It is great that Modi is coming here. As far as I know, it has been 40 years since an Indian PM visited this country. And I think this would be a good initiative for the cultural and economic ties between both nations. I am looking forward to seeing him here.”

Gaurav from Punjab, who has been residing in Vienna for 12 years said, “Modi is coming here and I am really happy. My eyes are yearning to see him.”

Amardip from Chandigarh said that it is a big thing that an Indian PM is coming. “It’s a good feeling. The Indian population, which is around 30,000 to 35,000 is feeling good. Those people who would be able to see Modi will be lucky,” he said.

Vikramjeet Singh from Punjab, who has been living in Vienna for 12 years said that PM’s visit will help in boosting tourism sector in Austria, “It is a very good thing that Modi is coming here,” Singh said.

Meanwhile, speaking about the Austria visit, Modi said “In Austria, I will have the opportunity to meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Austria is our steadfast and reliable partner and we share the ideals of democracy and pluralism.”

” I look forward to my discussions to take our partnership to even greater heights in new and emerging areas of innovation, technology and sustainable development among others. Together with the Austrian Chancellor, I look forward to exchanging views with business leaders from both sides to explore mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. I will also be interacting with the Indian community in Austria which is well-regarded for its professionalism and conduct,” he added.

Meanwhile, Radha Anjali, President of the Austro-India Association, expressed enthusiasm for the visit and highlighted that it will strengthen relations and friendship between the two countries.

Radha Anjali will also attend the community event during PM Modi’s visit.

Anjali said that she has been practising Bharatanatyam for the last 40 years in Vienna and described the dance form as a “cultural connect” between both nations.

“It’s a cultural connect between India and Austria. Yes, the cultural link between countries is very important. And Bharatanatyam can also build a bridge between the two countries,” Radha Anjali said.

In response to a question regarding Modi’s visit, she said, “We are very excited and I think it is very good and very important for the relations between the two countries and to build up the friendship more, which has been there in the past but maybe we can build up more friendship for the future.”

Anjali highlighted that the organisation’s six-decade efforts to foster cultural exchange and friendship between the two countries, and her own commitment to promoting Indian culture in Austria.

“The Austro-Indian Association, for 60 years, has been working for friendship between the two countries on different levels. And we just recently had our 60th anniversary. I’ve been president since 2008. The work we are doing is to promote Indian culture in Austria with dance performances, concerts, lectures, and information about India,” said Austro-India Association President. (ANI)

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India-Austria ties to get new thrust

The upcoming prime ministerial visit from India to Austria will mark a pivotal moment in the relationship between New Delhi and Vienna, as it will lead to revitalisation of ties between the two nations, writes Ranjit Kumar

The first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister in four decades to Austria would rekindle India’s relations with the European nation. The historical significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on 9-10 July cannot be understated.
 
Prime Minister Modi’s decision to include Austria in his first bilateral foreign trip after beginning his third term in office speaks volumes about the importance he places on strengthening diplomatic relations with the European nation.
 
Furthermore, the timing of this visit is particularly noteworthy, as both countries are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their bilateral relations, adding an extra layer of significance to the visit.


 
Strong and steadfast relations
 
The relationship between India and Austria dates back to the early years of India’s independence, with Vienna holding a deep appreciation for the political support extended by New Delhi during crucial moments in history.
 
India’s intervention in the negotiations with the Soviet Union on the State Treaty of Austria in 1953 played a pivotal role in securing Austria’s independence in 1955, a gesture that has not been forgotten by the Austrian people.
 
Over the years, the two countries have maintained strong and steadfast relations, with Austria emerging as a respected voice in both European and global politics.
 
With Vienna serving as the headquarters for various international organizations, including the International Atomic Energy Agency and the United Nations, Austria’s neutral status and diplomatic influence have further solidified its position on the world stage.

The historical context of high-level visits between India and Austria highlights the significance of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
 
From Indian President, K R Narayanan’s first visit in 1999 to the recent interactions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian leaders, there has been a consistent effort to strengthen ties.
 
The visits by then President Pratibha Patil in 2011 and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1971 and 1983, along with the foundational visit by then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1955, underscore the long-standing relationship between India and Austria.
 
The recent interactions between Prime Minister Modi and Austrian leaders, including the current Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, demonstrate the commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation.


 
Significance of prime ministerial visit
 
With India being a key player in the global economy and a strategic partner of the European Union, closer ties between India and Austria hold immense potential. 

As both countries navigate the post-COVID world, the shared goal of strengthening and diversifying relations reflects a mutual understanding of the importance of collaboration in addressing regional and global challenges.
 
The upcoming visit by PM Modi signifies a new chapter in India-Austria relations, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and cooperation between the two nations.
 
In the past few years, the two countries have been actively engaging at a senior level, culminating in the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 9-10. Regular meetings between the foreign ministers of both nations have been instrumental in fostering this relationship.

The focus of Modi’s visit will be on business, innovation, and technology, with particular attention to the recent launch of the Startup Bridge project, which has already seen 20 Indian startups participating in a major event in Vienna.
 
Additionally, both countries are exploring opportunities for technology cooperation, with the aim of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through the Startup Bridge initiative.
 
The economic ties between India and Austria are robust, with over 30 to 40 large Austrian companies already established in India across various sectors such as infrastructure, tunnelling, and track laying.
 
Furthermore, both countries are keen on exploring collaboration in key areas such as clean technologies and renewables, with Indian businesses looking to learn from Austrian expertise in these sectors.
 
 The bilateral trade of USD 2.9 billion between the two nations is balanced, with India exporting a wide range of goods including electronic products, apparel, textiles, footwear, vehicles, railway parts, rubber articles, and mechanical appliances.

Vienna [Austria], Jan 2 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg during a meeting in Vienna, on Monday. (ANI Photo)


 
Conclusion
 
The Austrian European and International affairs minister Alexander Schallenberg who visited New Delhi last March has emphasized the significant business opportunities for enhancing bilateral trade and investments, highlighting the reliability and long-term commitment of Austrian partners in fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.

Additionally, the presence of over 500 Indian students and a 31,000-strong Indian diaspora in Austria further underscores the depth of the relationship between the two countries.
 
In order to enhance the bilateral relations between the two nations, an Indo-Austrian joint commission was established back in 1983.
 
Currently, the collaboration between India and Austria is advancing with the support of approximately 20 memorandums of understanding covering various areas such as air services, promotion and protection of investments, infrastructure cooperation in railways, health, science and technology, agriculture, and technology cooperation in shipping and ports.
 
The Austrians have already witnessed India’s scientific capabilities when they successfully launched two Austrian Satellites in 2013. With the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Vienna, it is anticipated that both countries will sign multiple agreements to further solidify the ties of economic and diplomatic cooperation between them.
 
(The writer is a senior journalist and strategic affairs analyst; views expressed here are his own)
– India News Network

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Modi’s visit a special honour, says Austrian Chancellor  

Chancellor Nehammer emphasised the importance of this visit, noting that it provides an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on various geopolitical challenges…reports Asian Lite News

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said that the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Vienna is a “special honour” as it marks the first visit by Indian Prime Minister in over four decades, and he is looking forward to welcoming PM Modi.

Further, he also wrote that this trip coincides with the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between both nations.

Notably, Modi’s upcoming visit to Austria on July 9 is the first visit by an Indian PM in 41 years after Indira Gandhi’s visit in 1983.

Taking to X, Austrian Chancellor said, “I very much look forward to welcoming @narendramodi , the Prime Minister of India, the world’s largest democracy, next week in Vienna. This visit is a special honour as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over forty years, and a significant milestone as we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations with India.”

Chancellor Nehammer emphasised the importance of this visit, noting that it provides an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation on various geopolitical challenges.

“We will have the opportunity to talk about further deepening our bilateral relationship and closer cooperation on the many geopolitical challenges,” said the Austrian Chancellor on X.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Modi’s upcoming visit to Austria would help in broadening the scope of India-Austria partnership and will help to address issues of regional and global importance of mutual interest.

“The visit, we are confident, will allow us to discuss various areas of importance in bilateral engagement as well as issues of regional and global importance of mutual interest and help broaden the scope of our partnership,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in a press conference.

Kwatra also announced that during his visit, Modi will call on Austria’s President, Alexander Van der Bellen, and hold delegation-level talks with officials.

“In terms of programming elements, the Prime Minister, besides the ceremonial welcome being accorded to him, would also call on the President of Austria and hold restricted delegation-level talks as well as high-level business engagement in Austria,” said the Foreign Secretary.

India and Austria have a long history of diplomatic relations, with several notable visits between the two nations. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Indian leader to visit Austria in 1955 to meet then-Austrian Chancellor Julius Raab

In November 1999, the then Indian President KR Narayanan made India’s first state visit to Austria, after which, in 2011, ex-President Pratibha Patil travelled to the country.

The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Austria was Indira Gandhi in 1983. She had also visited the country in 1971.

Great opportunity, says Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that the biggest change in relations with Russia is that the economic relationship between the two countries has improved tremendously.

Jaishankar said that it will be a great opportunity for PM Modi and Russian President Putin to sit and discuss the relationship.

“It is a way of taking stock of any relationship… one of the biggest changes has been, that our economic relationship with Russia has grown tremendously… at the leadership level, it will be a great opportunity for Modi and Russian President Putin to sit down and directly talk to each other,” he said.

Jaishankar said that because of the varied preoccupations of both- PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the annual summit was a bit delayed.

“There was a bit of a delay in our annual summits, it is a good tradition, we are two countries which have a strong history of working together. We did value the need for an annual summit. Last year when I went to Moscow, I carried a message from the PM that we are committed to the annual summit and we will do it sooner rather than later…it is a regular recurrence. It is a way of taking stock of any relationship,” he said.

He said that both countries have a steady history of working together. “We look at the happenings around the world and see if we want to make any amends to a situation, we meet and discuss. This meeting was something that was waiting to happen.” (ANI)

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Austria visit will strengthen close ties: PM Modi

PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Austria, the second leg of his two-nation trip, from Moscow on July 9….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his visit to Austria, starting July 9, will further strengthen the “ever-close partnership” between the two nations.

“Thank you, Chancellor Karl Nehammer. It is indeed an honour to visit Austria to mark this historic occasion. I look forward to our discussions on strengthening the bonds between our nations and exploring new avenues of cooperation,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X while replying to the Austrian Chancellor’s message.

“The shared values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law form the bedrock upon which we will build an ever-closer partnership,” he added.

PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Austria, the second leg of his two-nation trip, from Moscow on July 9.

This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years. During his stay in Vienna, PM Modi will call on Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold talks with Chancellor Nehammer. Both leaders will also address business leaders from India and Austria.

Earlier, on Saturday, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer labelled the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Vienna as a “special honour,” stating that he is eagerly looking forward to it.

In a post on X, the Austrian Chancellor said, “This visit is a special honour as it marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over forty years and a significant milestone as we celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations with India.”

“We will have the opportunity to talk about further deepening our bilateral relationship and closer cooperation on the many geopolitical challenges,” he added.

PM Modi is also scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community in Vienna during his visit.

On Friday, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra called Austria an “important central European country” that offers excellent opportunities for bilateral cooperation in infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology areas, start-up sectors, media and entertainment.

He also highlighted the growing India-Austria trade and investment linkages, including the recent launch of an India-Austria start-up bridge in February 2024 that has made a “very promising” start.

“The visit, we are confident, will allow us to discuss various areas of importance in bilateral engagement, as also issues of regional and global importance of mutual interest, and help broaden the scope of our partnership,” said Foreign Secretary Kwatra.

India and Austria also signed a Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement in May last year and continue to work closely to expand and explore new areas of bilateral partnership.

“We’re also looking at what we can do in terms of technology. There are over, I think, 30 to 40 large Austrian companies already present in India in a range of areas from infrastructure, tunnelling, and track laying. We’ve got a fair amount of investments from India already in Austria. But we want to see how we can take these forward. We want to look at other key areas, clean technologies, and renewables. We want to look at different areas where we can try and work together,” said Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs.

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PM to visit Russia, Austria next week

After concluding his visit to Russia, Modi will travel to Austria from July 9-10. It will be first visit of Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on an official visit to Russia and Austria from July 8-10. Modi will be in Moscow from July 8-9 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. The two leaders will review entire range of multifaceted ties between India and Russia.

In a press release, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “Prime Minister will be in Moscow on 08-09 July 2024, at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin to hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.”

“The leaders will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest,” it added.

After concluding his visit to Russia, Modi will travel to Austria from July 9-10. It will be first visit of Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years.

During his visit, he will call on Austria’s President, Alexander Van der Bellen. PM Modi will also hold talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Modi and Karl Nehammer will also address business leaders from India and Austria. PM Modi will interact with members of the Indian community in Moscow and Vienna.

Earlier in March, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Modi has an open invitation to visit Russia, Russia-based TASS reported.

“This (Modi’s visit to Russia) is yet to be coordinated through diplomatic channels,” Peskov said when asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had indeed invited Modi to pay a visit to Russia after the elections during their phone call on Wednesday.

“Of course, the Indian Prime Minister also has an open invitation to visit our country,” Peskov added, according to TASS report.

Peskov stated that “In any case, [Putin and Modi] will meet in the first half of this year.” He noted that Putin and Modi will meet in a multilateral format on the platforms of international events and in a bilateral format.

His statement came after Modi held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Putin and reiterated India’s stand on dialogue and diplomacy as a way for the resolution of the ongoing war against Ukraine, according to an official release. (ANI)

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PM Modi Due in Russia, AustriaRussia, Austria

It will be first visit of Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years….reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on an official visit to Russia and Austria from July 8-10.

PM Modi will be in Moscow from July 8-9 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. The two leaders will review entire range of multifaceted ties between India and Russia.

In a press release, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “Prime Minister will be in Moscow on 08-09 July 2024, at the invitation of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin to hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.”

“The leaders will review the entire range of multifaceted relations between the two countries and exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest,” it added.

After concluding his visit to Russia, PM Modi will travel to Austria from July 9-10. It will be first visit of Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years.

During his visit, he will call on Austria’s President, Alexander Van der Bellen. PM Modi will also hold talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

PM Modi and Karl Nehammer will also address business leaders from India and Austria. PM Modi will interact with members of the Indian community in Moscow and Vienna.

Earlier in March, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said PM Modi has an open invitation to visit Russia, Russia-based TASS reported.

“This (Modi’s visit to Russia) is yet to be coordinated through diplomatic channels,” Peskov said when asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin had indeed invited PM Modi to pay a visit to Russia after the elections during their phone call on Wednesday.

“Of course, the Indian Prime Minister also has an open invitation to visit our country,” Peskov added, according to TASS report.

Peskov stated that “In any case, [Putin and Modi] will meet in the first half of this year.” He noted that Putin and PM Modi will meet in a multilateral format on the platforms of international events and in a bilateral format.

His statement came after PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Putin and reiterated India’s stand on dialogue and diplomacy as a way for the resolution of the ongoing war against Ukraine, according to an official release. (ANI)

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Austria to resume aid to UN agency for Palestinians

In the weeks that followed, numerous donor states, including Austria, suspended or paused some $450 million in funding….reports Asian Lite News

Austria said Saturday it will restore its funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees after suspending it over allegations that staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Israel alleged in January that some United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) employees may have participated in the Hamas attacks on October 7 that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip.

In the weeks that followed, numerous donor states, including Austria, suspended or paused some $450 million in funding.

Many, including Germany, Sweden, Canada and Japan, had since resumed funding, while others have continued to hold out.

“After analizing the action plan in detail” submitted by UNRWA “to improve the functioning of the organization,” Austria has decided to “release the funds,” its foreign ministry said in a statement.

A total of 3.4 million euros ($3.7 million) in funds have been budgeted for 2024, and the first payment is expected to be made in the summer, the statement said.

“Some of the Austrian funds will be used in the future to improve internal control mechanisms at UNRWA,” it added.

Austria said it will “closely monitor” the implementation of the action plan with other international partners, noting that “a lot of trust had been squandered.”

The Alpine country said it has substantially increased support for the suffering Palestinian population in Gaza and the region since 7 October, making 32 million euros ($34.8 million) in humanitarian aid available to other international aid organizations.

The Hamas attack on October 7 resulted in the death of more than 1,170 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has since killed at least 35,303 people, also mostly civilians, according to data provided by the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

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