After Russia, PM Modi reached Austria

Austrian Chancellor posted selfie with PM Modi, after Russia, he was given a grand welcome in Austria too

Austria (Vienna): Prime Minister Modi reached Vienna, the capital of Austria, late on Tuesday night after his two-day visit to Russia. Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed Modi at the airport. During this visit of PM Modi, both the countries will explore ways to further deepen their bilateral relations and close cooperation on many geopolitical challenges. This visit of PM Modi to Vienna is very special. In fact, Narendra Modi is the second Prime Minister to visit the Central European nation Austria in more than 41 years. Before Prime Minister Modi, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had visited Austria in 1983. Foreign Minister Jaishankar has also accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this visit.

Welcomed with Vande Mataram
From the airport, PM Modi went straight to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Vienna, the capital of Austria. Here he was greeted by the NRIs. On reaching the hotel, Austrian artists welcomed Prime Minister Modi with Vande Mataram. After this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the dinner hosted by Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Karl Nehammer.

Posted selfie with PM Modi

Austria Chancellor Karl Nehammer met PM Modi who arrived there. While posting a selfie with PM Modi, he said, ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcome to Vienna. It is a matter of pleasure and honour to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I am looking forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit!’

PM tweeted as soon as he reached Austria
After reaching Austria, Prime Minister Modi also tweeted in this regard. In this, he wrote that this visit to Austria is special. Our countries are connected by shared values and commitment to a better planet. I am looking forward to various programs in Austria, including talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer and interaction with the Indian community.’

At the same time, in a post on X, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs also tweeted about India-Austria relations. He said that as both the countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, this important visit will add new momentum to India-Austria relations.

On his visit to Vienna, PM Modi will meet the President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, today i.e. on Wednesday. He will also hold talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer. PM Modi and Chancellor Nehammer will also address a meeting of top India-Austria entrepreneurs. Modi will also interact with the people of the Indian community in Vienna.

Before his Vienna visit, PM Modi had said on Sunday that the shared values of democracy, freedom and rule of law in both the countries are the basis on which the two countries will build a close partnership. Prime Minister Modi’s comment came in response to the social media post of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, in which Nehammer had said that he was eager to welcome PM Modi.

Eager to welcome PM Modi: Karl Nehammer
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote in a shared post on X, ‘I am very eager to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, the world’s largest democracy, in Vienna next week. This visit is a special honour, as it is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in over 40 years and an important milestone on the occasion of 75 years of diplomatic relations with India. The Austrian Chancellor said, ‘We will have the opportunity to further deepen our bilateral relations and talk about cooperation on many geopolitical challenges.’

Responding to Karl Nehammer, PM Modi also thanked him. He also said, ‘Thank you, Chancellor Karl Nehammer. It is indeed an honour to visit Austria on this historic occasion. I look forward to our discussions on strengthening the ties between our countries and exploring new avenues of cooperation.’ The Prime Minister said, ‘Shared values of democracy, freedom and rule of law are the basis on which we will build an even closer partnership.’

Indira Gandhi visited Austria in 1983
It is after 41 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Austria. The last visit before this was in 1983. Then Indira Gandhi visited Austria as the Indian PM. Indira Gandhi first visited Austria in 1971 as Prime Minister. After this, the then Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky visited India in 1980. After this, Indira Gandhi visited Austria once again in 1983, following which the then Austrian Chancellor Fred Sinowatz visited India in 1984.

Nehru had made the first visit to Austria
If we talk about the first Prime Minister to visit Austria, then after the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1949, Jawaharlal Nehru had visited Austria as PM in 1955. There are frequent visits between India and Austria at the level of leaders, ministers and MPs, but this is the third visit at the Prime Minister level from India.