Indian-Austrian companies-investors to participate in each other’s economies
President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Dr Christian Stocker, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria on 16 April, underlining the that the two nations share close and friendly relations based on common values such as democracy and the rule of law.
She also highlighted the bilateral relations have expanded cooperation in new areas such as innovation, renewable and clean energy, hydrogen, water and waste management, and AI.
The President noted that the Austrian President visit has taken place soon after the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement and will provide fresh momentum to India-Austria growing trade and investment ties.
She said that Austrian companies have vast opportunities to expand trade and investment in India, especially in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, and AI. She highlighted that both India and Austria are knowledge-based economies and there are immense possibilities to enhance bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.
The President said that India has one of the world’s largest start-up ecosystems. She was happy to note that the “India-Austria Start-up Bridge,” launched in 2024, is strengthening bilateral cooperation in this area.
The two leaders agreed that this visit will provide momentum to all important dimensions of bilateral relations between India and Austria.
Dr Christian Stocker witness signing of a series of agreements during his visit.
These are:
Agreement on Audiovisual Co production between India and Austria. The agreement will provide a framework for enhanced cooperation between the film industries of the two countries and facilitate joint film production, creative exchanges and greater cultural engagement.
Joint Announcement on setting up a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies. The Fast Track mechanism will identify and solve problems faced by Indian and Austrian companies and investors in each other’s economies. The FAST-TRACK mechanism will also serve as a platform for discussing general suggestions from the point of view of investors regarding ease of doing business.
Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Military Matters – The LOI will provide an institutional framework for promoting cooperation in military matters, defence industrial and technology partnership, building on the momentum of the India-EU Defence and Security Partnership signed on 27 January 2026, as well as facilitate defence policy dialogue, training and capacity building.
Letter of Intent on Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. The LoI will advance counter terrorism cooperation between India and Austria including the goal of both sides to work together to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism for exploring areas of strategic cooperation on issues relating to the fight against terrorism.
MoU on Food Safety between AGES, Austria and FSSAI, India. The MoU will promote cooperation in food safety standards, scientific exchange, capacity building and sharing of best practices in food regulation and risk assessment thereby promoting trade in agricultural and food products, while ensuring highest priority for safety standards.
Joint Letter of Intent regarding dual vocational training, skills development and the recognition of vocational qualifications. The Joint Letter of Intent will help to expand exchanges and knowledge sharing in the fields of dual vocational training (apprenticeship) and skills development as well as the promotion of recognition of Indian vocational qualifications according to Austrian Standards.
Announcements:
Renewal of the MoU on technical cooperation in the road infrastructure sector. The MoU will help to strengthen technical cooperation in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), road safety, electronic toll collection and traffic management.
Increased cooperation of startup ecosystems under India-Austria Startup Bridge. This continued collaboration between the startups, unicorns, innovation ecosystems and venture capital networks of the two countries.
Launch of Institutional Cybersecurity Dialogue. Partnership between India’s Centre for UN Peacekeeping and Austrian Armed Forces International Centre (AUTINT).
Agreement to jointly organise a bilateral space industry seminar in Vienna in Autumn 2026; included in the Joint Statement.
Operationalization of Working Holiday Programme.
High-technology cooperation as a central pillar of the Enhanced India–Austria partnership. Identification of several collaborative R&D projects including in the areas of material science and technology, quantum technology, wastewater treatment, machine learning, lasers, etc under the joint Committee of Science and Technology.
Launch a structured bilateral Dialogue on Cooperation in Education. Aimed at enhancing skills development, promote curricula development, facilitate the mutual recognition of qualifications, and support institutional collaboration in higher education and the development of vocational education and training systems.
Focus India initiative of Austria’s leading technical Universities to systematically deepen educational cooperation and research cooperation with India.
Launch by the three public technical universities in Austria (Technische Universität Wien, Technische Universität Graz und Montanuniversität Leoben) of a dedicated portal to facilitate admissions for Indian students to pursue engineering and technical Masters programmes in Austria. Fiinews.com
