New Delhi: As soon as he set foot in Austria, PM Modi has joined the list of Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi. After a successful visit to Russia, now Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to Austria. This visit of PM Modi to Austria is very important. This is the first visit of any Prime Minister from India to Austria in 41 years. Before PM Modi, Indira Gandhi had visited this country in 1971 and 1983. At the same time, after establishing diplomatic relations in the year 1949, Jawaharlal Nehru had visited Austria for the first time as Prime Minister in 1955. This official visit of Prime Minister Modi on 9 and 10 July is at a time when India and Austria are completing 75 years of their diplomatic relations.
PM Modi reached Austria directly after his visit to Russia on Tuesday. There, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed PM Modi with great enthusiasm. He wrote a post on Instagram, ‘On the completion of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Austria, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is heartily welcomed on his historic visit to Austria. The partnership between our countries is based on joint commitment to global security, stability and prosperity.’
Welcome PM Modi
At the same time, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer also welcomed PM Modi. He posted on X, ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcome to Vienna! It is a pleasure and honor for us to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I look forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit.’ He has also posted his selfie with PM Modi. PM Modi is on a visit to Austria today at the invitation of the Austrian Chancellor.
PM Modi said thank you to the Chancellor
PM Modi also thanked Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer for the warm welcome. PM Modi wrote on Instagram, ‘Chancellor Karl Nehammer, thank you for the warm welcome. I look forward to our discussion. Our countries will continue to work together to advance global good.’ Many pictures are attached to this post of PM Modi. When PM Modi reached Austria, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed him. During this, Indian Ambassador to Austria Shambhu Kumaran was also present.
PM Modi’s visit will strengthen relations
This visit of PM Modi will further strengthen the relations between India and Austria. There has been a regular exchange of visits between India and Austria at the level of leaders, ministers and parliamentarians. Before PM Modi, Indira Gandhi had made her first visit to Austria in 1971 as Prime Minister. After this, the then Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky visited India in 1980. After Indira Gandhi’s second visit to Austria in 1983, the then Austrian Chancellor Fred Sinowatz visited India in 1984.
When did Indira Gandhi go away
People familiar with the matter said that Indira Gandhi was in Vienna from 16-18 June during her 1983 visit. However, after Indira Gandhi’s visit, no Prime Minister from India visited Austria, but presidential level visits did take place. According to information given on the website of the Indian Foreign Ministry, in 1999, then President K. R. Narayanan visited Austria. After this, in 2005, then Austrian President Heinz Fischer visited India. In 2010, then Austrian Vice-Chancellor Joseph Proll came to India and after this in 2011, then President Pratibha Devisingh Patil visited Austria.
Why is this attack of PM Modi important?
This visit of Prime Minister Modi to Austria is also important because India and Austria are completing 75 years of diplomatic relations. This visit of PM Modi will further strengthen the relations between the two countries and new avenues of cooperation will be explored. Austrian Chancellor Nehammer had said, ‘This visit is a special honour because it is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to my country in more than 40 years. It is also important because we are celebrating the completion of 75 years of diplomatic relations with India.
It is also important from a business perspective
According to the report, bilateral trade between the two countries is gradually increasing. According to the Financial Express, bilateral trade between India and Austria was $2.93 billion in 2023. India exports electronics, textiles, apparel, shoes and chemicals to Austria. At the same time, Vienna sends machinery, automotive parts and chemicals to India. In such a situation, this visit is going to be very important from the business point of view between the two countries. PM Modi will also meet the CEOs during this period.
Tags: PM Modi, World news
FIRST PUBLISHED : July 10, 2024, 06:45 IST