New Delhi: The world is going through a “very tense” situation impacting all nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, pitching for bringing lasting peace to Ukraine and West Asia as military conflict cannot solve any problem.
Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Austria’s Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker that focused on significantly ramping up bilateral ties in areas of trade, defence and infrastructure.
Following the talks, India and Austria signed six agreements including one on counter-terror cooperation and another on setting up a fast track mechanism to help Indian and Austrian companies wanting to invest in each other’s economies. A separate pact was signed for cooperation on military matters.
In their talks, Modi and Stocker extensively deliberated on the consequences of the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine on global economy and vowed to work jointly to mitigate them.
The Austrian Chancellor landed in New Delhi on Tuesday on a four-day trip. It is Stocker’s first official trip outside Europe and first trip by an Austrian Chancellor to India after four decades.
“Today, the entire world is going through a very serious and tense situation, and its impact is being felt by all of us. In such a tense global environment, India and Austria are in agreement that solutions cannot be achieved through military conflict,” Modi said in his media statement.
“Whether in Ukraine or West Asia, we support a stable, sustainable, and lasting peace. We are also in agreement that reform of global institutions is essential to address the growing global challenges. Eradicating terrorism at its roots remains our shared commitment,” he said.
Modi said India’s talent has the potential to enhance Austria’s innovation and productivity.
“In 2023, we concluded a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement with Austria. Under this Agreement, we will now further advance mobility in the nursing sector as well,” he added.0 The letter of intent (LoI) on military cooperation will provide an institutional framework for promoting cooperation building on the momentum of the India-EU defence and security partnership signed in January.
India and Austraia also signed a LoI to advance counter terrorism cooperation including to facilitate establishing a joint working group on counter terrorism.
In his remarks, Stocker said the India-Australia bilateral trade has been growing “very positively” and noted that the India-EU free trade pact will further enhance the economic engagement between the two sides.
The Austrian Chancellor, referring to the West Asia crisis, said “stability, trust, and reliable” partnerships are crucial to navigate the challenging time.
“At a time when geopolitical challenges are getting stronger, such partnerships are even more valuable. Together, we represent an international order in which we can live in freedom and security. We are in favour of a rules based world order,” he said.
Modi said Stocker’s visit is “extremely significant” and referred to involvement of Austrian companies in numerous engineering projects in India including in railways as well as clean energy initiatives.
“Following the historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, a new golden chapter has begun in relations between India and the EU. With Chancellor Stocker’s visit, we are also taking India-Austria relations into a new era,” he said.
Modi said the Chancellor’s visit will “inject new energy” into bilateral trade and investment ties.
“We are delighted that he has come to India with a broad vision and a large business delegation. By combining Austria’s expertise with India’s speed and scale, we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world,” Modi said.
“We will also strengthen our partnerships in defense, semiconductor, quantum, and biotechnology,” he said.
At a media briefing, Secretary (West) in the external affairs ministry Sibi George said both sides unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.
The leaders also condemned in the “strongest terms” the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April last year and the terror incident near Red Fort in November last.
Modi and Stocker also called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, George said.
