During the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chancellor Karl Nehammer and his guest positioned their countries as “bridge builders”. Nehammer said after the working meeting that ways have been explored to initiate a process towards a “fair and lasting peace in Ukraine”.
Modi, who has been in office for ten years, landed from Moscow at Vienna-Schwechat airport on Tuesday evening. In Russia he met with ruler Vladimir Putin. He maintains good personal relations with him, but at the same time strives to keep an equal distance from the West.
First trips since re-election
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, India has increasingly bought cheap oil from Russia; Modi even described Putin as a “dear friend” on Tuesday. At the same time, he criticized military conflicts in general. His trips to Russia and Austria are the first since the start of his third term as prime minister.
Against solving problems on the battlefield, for ‘prosperous Ukraine’
During joint press statements with Nehammer in Vienna on Wednesday, Modi reiterated what he had said during his visit to Russia: “Problems cannot be resolved on the battlefield. Loss of innocent lives is unacceptable.” Austria and India have lent their support to dialogue between the parties to the conflict.
Nehammer also offered Austria “as part of the EU, but not as a military alliance” as a partner and a place for dialogue to end the war in Ukraine. He wanted a “free and prosperous Ukraine,” the Chancellor said.
Start-up partnership and 10-year roadmap
The second topic discussed by the heads of government was bilateral cooperation in business and science, which needs to be intensified. Modi announced that India and Austria will enter into a start-up partnership. In addition, a 10-year roadmap for joint activities will be developed.
After their meeting at the Federal Chancellery, Nehammer and Modi went to the Hofburg for an Indo-Austrian economic forum. Modi was also scheduled to visit Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in the afternoon.
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.
