PM Modi in Austria: Meaningful visit
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New Delhi Thursday morning after concluding his two-nation visit to Russia and Austria. PM Modi arrived in Vienna on June 9 evening for a two day-long State visit.
PM Modi thanked Austria’s Chancellor, government, and people for their warm welcome and hospitality. He also stated this visit was immensely productive and described it as ‘historic.’ 'My visit to Austria has been historic and immensely productive. New vigour has been added to the friendship between our nations. I am glad to have attended diverse programmes while in Vienna. Gratitude to Chancellor @karlnehammer, the Austrian Government and people for their hospitality and affection,’ PM Modi said on X.
PM and Austrian Chancellor on Ukraine
During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said both India and Austria favour dialogue and diplomacy for the earliest restoration of peace and stability in Ukraine and are ready to provide every possible assistance in this endeavour.
‘I have already said in the past that this is not the time for war. Problems can’t be resolved on the battlefield. Wherever it is, the killings of innocent people are not acceptable,’ he said at a joint press interaction with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer after wide-ranging talks between the two leaders in Vienna.
PM Modi said he had discussed with Chancellor Nehammer in detail the conflict in Ukraine as well as the situation in West Asia, apart from other global developments and bilateral issues.
The Austrian Chancellor noted that before arriving in his country, PM Modi paid a visit to Moscow. ‘Therefore, it was particularly important for me to hear about the Prime Minister’s personal assessment regarding the intentions of Russia in respect of the peace process. Our shared objective is to achieve a comprehensive, just and permanent peace in line with the UN Charter. My Cabinet has been in constant contact with the EU,' he said.
He said that for him it was an important signal that India, as a founding member of the BRICS, participated in the Swiss Peace Summit on Ukraine. ‘Today, we have been talking about an even stronger commitment and about the possibilities of reviving the peace process. PM Modi and myself discussed the unique position of India in the so-called Global South. India is an important, influential and credit-worthy country. India is the biggest democracy in the world. Therefore, India’s role, especially for Austria, is more than important when it comes to the peace process and future peace summits. As a reliable partner, Austria will be available as a site for dialogue, making use of its unique position as a neutral country – a member of the EU but not a member of NATO.’ he added.
Discussion on climate change and terrorism
PM Modi underscored discussions on the challenges like climate change and terrorism. On climate, he said India has invited Austria to join initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the Global Biofuels Alliance. ‘We are both opposed to terrorism and we agree that the menace in any form is not acceptable. It can’t be justified in any manner,’ he said.
Need for reforms in the UN: The PM said the two countries also emphasised the need for reforms in the United Nations and other international institutions to make them more contemporary and effective.
Strategic direction
PM Modi said ‘this trip of mine is historic and special. After 41 years, an Indian PM has visited Austria. We discussed new possibilities to strengthen our ties further. We have decided to give these ties a strategic direction in sectors like infrastructure development, renewable energy, hydrogen, water and waste management, and artificial intelligence. We will work towards linking each other’s capabilities,’ he said.
Migration and Mobility Agreement: Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and PM Modi recognised the importance of skill development along with the mobility of skilled personnel to support an expanded engagement in high-tech sectors. In this regard, both the leaders welcomed the operationalisation of the bilateral Migration and Mobility Agreement, which provides an institutional framework to facilitate such exchanges, while at the same time combating irregular migration.
Bolstering commercial and trade linkages
Notably, PM Modi held significant meetings with Austrian leaders, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Nehammer, to bolster bilateral cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration between India and Austria.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted his interaction with business leaders from both countries. ‘Met business leaders from India and Austria. Our nations are confident of leveraging the many opportunities ahead to boost commercial and trade linkages,’ he said, underlining the mutual confidence in enhancing economic ties.
This was the first meeting between the two leaders and comes at a time when the two countries are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Address to the Indian diaspora: India has given 'Buddha' to the world, not 'Yuddha': PM Modi
An important aspect of PM Modi’s visit was his interaction with the Indian diaspora. Addressing the diaspora in Vienna, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 10 said India has given 'Buddha' to the world, not ‘Yuddha’ (war) which means it has always given peace and prosperity, and therefore the country is going to strengthen its role in the 21st century.
PM Modi said this, a day after he arrived on Vienna from Moscow where he highlighted the importance of finding a peaceful solution to the Ukraine war during talks with President Vladimir Putin.
‘Meaningful’ visit: Describing his first visit to Austria as "meaningful", PM Modi said that after 41 years, an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country. "This long wait has come to an end on a historic occasion. India and Austria are celebrating 75 years of their friendship," he said.
"India and Austria are geographically on two different ends, but we have many similarities. Democracy connects both the countries. Our shared values are liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law. Our societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries celebrate diversity, and a big medium to reflect these values are elections," he said, amid chants of ‘Modi, Modi’.
In his address to the diaspore, Prime Minister Modi talked about the transformative progress achieved by the country in the last 10 years and expressed confidence that India will become the third largest economy in the near future, on its way to becoming a developed country by 2047.
"Today, India is growing at the rate of 8%. Today, we are in the 5th position, and soon, we will be in the top 3. I promised the people of my country that I would make India one of the top three economies in the world. We aren't just working to reach the top position, our mission is 2047," he said, adding that India will celebrate 100 years of its independence in 2047 as a developed nation.
PM Modi also talked about how Austrian expertise in green growth and innovation could partner India, leveraging its high growth trajectory and globally reputed start-up ecosystem.
He also mentioned the deep intellectual interest in Indian philosophy, languages and thought that has existed in Austria for centuries. "Around 200 years ago, Sanskrit was taught at Vienna's university. In 1880, with the establishment of an independent chair for Indology, it got more push. Today, I got the opportunity to meet some eminent Indologists, it was quite apparent from their discussions that they had great interest in India," PM Modi said.
More than 31,000 Indians are living in Austria.