Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Austria. In Vienna, talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), a meeting with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and a meeting with leading Austrian entrepreneurs are planned. The talks will focus on bilateral economic relations and the war in Ukraine, as India has close ties with the Kremlin.
Modi will arrive in Moscow by plane on Tuesday after a two-day visit. Modi held talks with President Vladimir Putin in the Russian capital. Both countries belong to the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, etc.) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
“Explore responsibility”
Against the backdrop of the Hindu nationalist’s good relations with Putin, Nehammer wants to examine “the shared responsibility for peace and stability in the world” during a private dinner on Tuesday evening in view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as stated in the so-called Federal Chancellery.
Nehammer said it was “important to speak with the BRICS countries on an equal footing”. They played “a special role” in the war in Ukraine. Putin listens to them,” the chancellor said. Nehammer “relies heavily on India” and wants to intensify economic ties with the world’s most populous country. From the Austrian perspective, this is the second focus of the visit.
75th anniversary of bilateral relations
The ostensible reason for Modi’s visit is a historic date. In 1949, during the occupation, the Republic of Austria and India established diplomatic relations. So it is also important to celebrate a 75th anniversary.
The planned process:
- Modi will be officially received with military honours on Wednesday morning. A working meeting between the two heads of government will then take place in the Federal Chancellery, followed by press statements.
- According to the plan, Modi will meet Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Hofburg at 2 p.m. For the head of state, “intensifying bilateral relations, especially in the areas of economy and technology” is also a priority.
- In between the meetings with Nehammer and Van der Bellen at the Hofburg, the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) is organizing a meeting between Modi and Austrian entrepreneurs and the delegation from India.
- There were also rumours that Modi would meet Indians living in Austria and make presentations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and UNIDO, which is responsible for industrial development.
Rare visit from India
The last visit to date at the level of heads of government took place when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi paid her respects to the newly crowned Chancellor Fred Sinowatz in 1983. Bruno Kreisky had recently resigned after thirteen years in office because the SPÖ had lost an absolute majority.
Her father and predecessor Jawaharlal Nehru had previously been a guest of the federal government under Julius Raab in 1955. Modi comes straight from Moscow.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
