New Delhi Talks: India and Austria Explore Wider Cooperation
Foreign ministers from India and Austria met in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation and international issues. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Beate Meinl-Reisinger focused on partnership areas ranging from trade and investment to culture.
The meeting touched on trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, education and culture. The two sides also exchanged perspectives on global developments, their consequences and the importance of multilateral engagement.
After the talks, Jaishankar posted on X that he was glad to meet Meinl-Reisinger in New Delhi. He said the conversation covered the expanded partnership in detail and identified new areas for collaboration, including startups, space, skill development and mobility. He added that the exchange reflected the warmth of India-Austria friendship.
At the outset, Jaishankar gave a warm welcome to the Austrian delegation on its visit to India. He said the two nations enjoy friendly relations and recalled the Austrian Chancellor's trip to India in April, describing it as very worthwhile.
Jaishankar said the session provided an opportunity to review the progress made on commitments and agreements reached during that earlier visit. He observed that the world is navigating a number of complicated circumstances. Against this backdrop, he said, it is natural for friendly countries like India and Austria to deliberate on global questions and consider how they can jointly contribute to international peace and security.
He also congratulated Austria on its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Jaishankar said the two countries have a long record of cooperating within the United Nations system and that India wants to sustain this partnership.
He stated that economic cooperation between the two countries is in good shape but has significant potential for improvement and expansion. He also mentioned the growing partnership in science and technology, climate issues and people-to-people contacts.
Referring to India's deepening ties with the European Union, Jaishankar said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement is anticipated to take effect in the coming months. He added that the security and defence partnership between India and Austria is moving ahead.
Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, along with other officials, was present at the meeting.
Meinl-Reisinger is on an official visit to India until November 2. After concluding her engagements in New Delhi, she will attend various programmes in Jaipur from October 29 to November 2.