Narendra Modi, the first Indian PM to visit Austria after 41 Years

In the second leg of his European countries visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Austria ( 9 & 10 July 2024) after his successful two-day visit to Russia. After 41 years, an Indian Prime Minister visited Austria, the last visit being Indira Gandhi's in 1983. 

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Vienna, the capital of Austria, on 9 July and was received at the Vienna airport by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit also coincided with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Third Indian PM to Visit Austria 

• India and Austria established diplomatic relations in 1949. 
• The first Indian Prime Minister to visit Austria was Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1955. 
• Indira Gandhi had the distinction of visiting Austria twice, in 1971 and again in 1983.
• Narendra Modi is the third Indian Prime Minister to visit Austria. 

Narendra Modi Meeting with Top Austrian Leadership 

During his visit to Austria on July 9 and 10, 2024, PM Modi met the Austrian President  Alexander Van der Bellen and the Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer. 

After his meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, a joint statement titled "Enhanced India-Austria Partnership” was issued.

The main points of the joint statements are as follows:

• India and Austria will work together to contribute to international and regional peace and prosperity.
• Both leaders called for collective efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution in Ukraine with the participation of all the parties, consistent with international law and the UN Charter. 
• Both the leaders welcomed the first high-level India -Austria Business Forum meeting in Vienna with the participation of the CEOs of several companies.
• They called for comprehensive reforms in the United Nations, including the Security Council. 
• India expressed its support for Austria’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2027-28.
•  Austria also supported India’s bids to become a non-permanent United Nations Security Council member for 2028-29.

• Prime Minister Modi Invited Austria to join the International Solar Alliance. The total membership of the International Solar Alliance is 100, with Paraguay being the 100th country to join the Alliance.

About the Republic of Austria 

Austria is a landlocked country that lies in South Central Europe. 

Austria and Switzerland are the two neutral countries in  Europe.

Austria is a member of the European Union and is part of the EuroZone.

Capital: Vienna

Currency: Euro

President :Alexander Van der Bellen