Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a diplomatic visit to Austria on July 9 and 10, marking the first Indian leader visit in 41 years. Modi’s journey will commence with a prior visit to Russia, making these his first bilateral visits in the third term of his government.
Modi’s upcoming trip to Moscow holds particular significance as it will be his first visit to Russia since the onset of the conflict in February 2022. From Russia, he will proceed to Austria, where he will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit since Indira Gandhi’s trip in 1983.
Diplomatic relations between India and Austria were established on November 10, 1949. Subsequently, Indira Gandhi’s 1983 visit was reciprocated by then Austrian Chancellor Fred Sinowatz, who visited India in 1984. The last Indian state visit to Austria took place in November 1999, with President KR Narayanan’s visit, followed by Austrian President Heinz Fischer’s reciprocal visit in February 2005. President Pratibha Patil also made a state visit in October 2011.
During his previous terms, Modi engaged with Austrian leaders to strengthen ties. In his first term, he held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Christian Kern in St. Petersburg in June 2017, followed by a meeting with Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg during COP-26 in Glasgow in October 2021. He also had a telephone conversation with President Alexander Van der Bellen in May 2020.
Under Modi’s leadership, bilateral relations have focused on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The launch of the ‘India-Austria Startup Bridge’ earlier this year exemplifies efforts to enhance collaboration in these areas.
Officials anticipate Modi’s upcoming visit to Austria will further bolster ties between the two nations across various sectors. The visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations, marking a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between India and Austria.
