Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Austria on July 9-10 will mark the first prime ministerial visit from India to the country in 41 years, the last being Indira Gandhi in 1983.
This visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Austria, PTI reported.
Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Austria in 1955. Since then, there have been regular exchanges between leaders, ministers, and parliamentarians from both countries.
During Modi’s visit, he will meet the Austrian President and engage in delegation-level talks and high-level business meetings. He will also interact with the Indian community in Vienna. Austria offers significant opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology, startups, media, and entertainment.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra highlighted the significance of this visit and noted the ongoing preparations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had visited Austria earlier, from December 31, 2022, to January 3, 2023, where he met with Austrian leaders and signed five agreements.
Ahead of his visit, Modi emphasised the shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law between India and Austria. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his anticipation of the visit, noting its historic significance.
Austria is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, and Vienna is renowned for its musical legacy. The MEA website also highlighted the visits of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore to Vienna in 1921 and 1926, which fostered cultural and intellectual exchanges between the two nations.
