Leaders note potential to significantly upgrade bilateral partnership
Austria has expressed keen interest in the development of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor al-chancellery.gv.at (IMEC), which was launched on the margins of the G20 summit in Delhi in September 2023.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer conveyed this during a meeting with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/ , pointing out that his country was located in the centre of Europe and would be a key enabler of connectivity.
The two leaders agreed that the project would be of great strategic importance and would significantly enhance the potential and flow of commerce and energy between markets in India, the Middle East and Europe https://www.nseindia.com/ .
They emphasised that India and the European Union have the largest and most vibrant free-market space in the world, and noted that deeper EU-India ties will be mutually beneficial as well as have a positive global impact https://www.bseindia.com/ .
Chancellor Nehammer and Prime Minister Modi agreed to support various initiatives to bring India and the EU closer. In this context, they reaffirmed their strong support for the ongoing India-EU trade and investment negotiations and the early implementation of the EU-India Connectivity Partnership http://wienerboerse.at .
The two leaders met during PM Modi’s official visit to Austria from 9-10 July 2024.
A Joint Statement on Enhanced India-Austria Partnership shared outcome from the two leaders meeting:
The Austrian Chancellor Prime Minister Modi recognised that their two countries have the potential to significantly upgrade their bilateral partnership to a higher level https://www.wko.at/austrian-economic-chambers .
They agreed to adopt a strategic approach to advance this shared objective. To this end, in addition to closer political-level dialogue, they emphasised on a future-oriented bilateral sustainable economic and technology partnership, covering a range of new initiatives and joint projects, collaborative technology development, research and innovation and business-to-business engagement inter alia in green and digital technologies, infrastructure, renewable energy, water management, life sciences, smart cities, mobility and transportation https://oec.world/en/profile/country/aut .
The two leaders identified a stronger economic and technology partnership between the two countries as a strategic objective https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/. In this context, they welcomed the convening of the first-ever high-level bilateral Business Forum with the participation of the CEOs of several companies in Vienna during the visit http://bankaustria.at .
The two leaders addressed the Business Forum https://www.advantageaustria.org/ and encouraged business representatives to work towards new and more dynamic tie-ups across different sectors.
The two leaders recognised the vital importance of research, scientific tie-ups, technology partnerships and innovation in driving forward the bilateral partnership and called for all such opportunities to be explored in mutual interest. They emphasised the need for stronger collaboration to develop and commercialise technologies in identified areas through new business, industry and R&D partnership models https://www.digitalasiahub.org/ .
The leaders welcomed initiatives to link the innovation and start-up ecosystems of the two countries through the Start-Up Bridge set up during the visit of the Austrian Minister of Labour and Economy to India in February 2024 and the successful visit of a group of Indian Start-Ups to Austria in June 2024. They encouraged relevant agencies of both countries to work to deepen further similar exchanges in future, including through frameworks such as Austria’s Global Incubator Network and the Start Up India initiative https://www.startupindia.gov.in/ .
Being parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change http://unfccc.int and as countries committed to holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the leaders recognised that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. They recalled the binding targets adopted at the EU level for climate neutrality by 2050, the Austrian government’s commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, and the Indian government’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
They noted the scope for engagement in the context of the Austrian government’s Hydrogen Strategy and the National Green Hydrogen Mission https://nghm.mnre.gov.in/ launched by India to address the energy transition challenges and supported a wide-ranging partnership between the companies and R&D institutions of both countries in renewable and green hydrogen.
The leaders identified a range of environmental technologies for targeted cooperation in areas such as clean transportation, water and wastewater management, waste management, renewable energy and other clean technologies. They encouraged public and private institutions to extend financing for ventures and projects in these sectors to support an expanded engagement in these and allied sectors. They also recognised the growing role of digital technologies in industrial processes (Industry 4.0), including in the area of sustainable economy.
Political and Security Cooperation
Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Nehammer underscored the importance of democratic countries such as India and Austria working together to contribute to international and regional peace and prosperity. In this context, they noted with satisfaction regular and substantive consultations between their Foreign Ministers in recent years. They also encouraged their officials to maintain the trend of enhanced institutional dialogue in different areas.
Both leaders reinforced their commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific in accordance with the international law of the sea as reflected in UNCLOS and with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of navigation to the benefit of maritime security and international peace and stability.
The two leaders also recognised the importance of skill development and mobility of skilled personnel to support an expanded engagement in high-tech sectors. In this regard, they welcomed the operationalisation of the bilateral Migration and Mobility Agreement, which provides an institutional framework to facilitate such exchanges, while at the same time combating irregular migration.
They encouraged academic institutions of both countries to build future-oriented partnerships focused on areas of mutual interest, especially in science, technology, and engineering.
People-to-people Ties
The two leaders appreciated the long tradition of cultural exchanges, particularly the role of Austrian Indologists and leading Indian cultural personalities who engaged with Austria. The leaders also noted the growing interest among Austrians in yoga and Ayurveda. They welcomed efforts to promote further bilateral cultural ties in music, dance, opera, theatre, films, literature, sports and other fields, including in the framework of the recently signed MOU on Cultural Cooperation.
The leaders recognised the role played by tourism in generating economic, sustainable and inclusive growth as well as greater understanding between the people of both countries. They encouraged efforts by relevant agencies to work together to expand tourist flows in both directions, including by expanding direct flight connectivity, the lengths of stay and other initiatives.
Multilateral Cooperation
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the United Nations Charter. They agreed to work together to safeguard and promote these fundamental principles through regular bilateral consultations and coordination at multilateral forums.
They reiterated their commitment to achieving comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including its Security Council. India reiterated its support for Austria’s UNSC candidature for the term 2027-28, while Austria expressed its support for India’s candidature for the period 2028-29.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s invitation to Austria for its membership in the International Solar Alliance, which recently achieved an important milestone by welcoming its 100th member. Fiinews.com
