Kamal Ghorui
New Delhi: As he held talks with visiting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, PM Narendra Modi stressed that India and Austria backed stable, sustainable and lasting peace in Ukraine and West Asia, reiterating that military conflict will not resolve issues. The visit, the first by an Austrian chancellor in 42 years, saw over a dozen agreements and announcements across counterterrorism, military affairs and technology.In his media statement, Modi said the world was going through a serious and tense situation, with its impact felt by all. “In such a tense global environment, India and Austria are in agreement that solutions cannot be achieved through military conflict. Whether in Ukraine or West Asia, we support a stable, sustainable and lasting peace,” he said, adding both sides agreed global institutional reform was essential.On West Asia, MEA secretary Sibi George said both sides underscored dialogue and diplomacy, including safe, unimpeded maritime passage. On Ukraine, they backed a comprehensive and lasting peace based on the UN Charter and international law.Modi said eradicating terrorism remained a shared commitment. India and Austria signed a LoI to establish a Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism and condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terror, Pahalgam attack and the Red Fort incident. Another LoI will provide an institutional framework for military cooperation and defence technology partnership, building on the India-EU Defence and Security Partnership.Bilateral ties received a boost in 2024 with Modi’s Vienna visit, the first by an Indian PM in 41 years. Apart from six agreements, nine announcements were made in high-technology, education, space, startups and cyber security.Modi said India-EU FTA marked a new phase, adding ties with Austria were entering a new era, with cooperation in defence, semiconductors, tech and biotechnology.
