New Delhi, April 16
Prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the rising global tensions are affecting countries worldwide, as he called for peaceful solutions during talks with Austria’s chancellor. In a joint press statement, Modi said India and Austria were aligned in their view that military conflict cannot resolve crises, pointing to ongoing wars in Ukraine and West Asia. He stressed the need for “stable and lasting peace” amid an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Welcoming the Austrian leader on his first visit to India, Modi described the trip as significant, noting it comes decades after the last such visit and follows closer ties between India and the European Union. He said both countries had agreed on the need to reform global institutions and reaffirmed a shared commitment to tackling terrorism. Highlighting bilateral ties, Modi pointed to Austria’s role in major infrastructure and engineering projects in India, including metro systems and mountain tunnels. He said the partnership would now expand into areas such as technology, defence, semiconductors and biotechnology.
The two sides also signed agreements to boost education and mobility, including collaboration between IIT Delhi and Austria’s Montanuniversität Leoben.
A new working holiday programme and plans to expand mobility, including in the nursing sector, were also announced, aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties.
