Nehru Visited Austria in 1955; Indira Gandhi in 1983
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Austria on July 9-10 will be the first by an Indian prime minister to the country in 41 years, with the last visit being by Indira Gandhi in 1983.
Modi’s visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Austria. The first prime ministerial visit since diplomatic ties were established in 1949 was by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs’ profile on India-Austria bilateral relations, there has been a regular exchange of visits at various levels, including leaders, ministers, and parliamentarians, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations.
Indira Gandhi’s visit in 1983 was preceded by her visit in 1971 and followed by the visits of Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky in 1980 and Chancellor Fred Sinowatz in 1984. Gandhi was in Vienna from June 16-18 during her 1983 visit.
While there have been no prime ministerial visits from India to Austria since 1983, there have been visits by Indian presidents. President K. R. Narayanan visited in 1999, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil in 2011, and Austrian President Heinz Fischer visited India in 2005, with Austrian Vice Chancellor Josef Pröll visiting in 2010.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra briefed the media about Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming tour to Russia and Austria from July 8-10. Modi will visit Moscow on July 8-9 for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The second leg of the trip will be to Austria on July 9-10 at the invitation of the Austrian Chancellor.
“This will be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Austria,” the foreign secretary noted. Modi will meet the President of Austria, hold restricted delegation-level talks, engage in high-level business discussions, and interact with the Indian community in Vienna.
Kwatra highlighted Austria’s “excellent opportunities” for bilateral cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy, high technology, start-ups, media, and entertainment.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Austria from December 31, 2022, to January 3, 2023, and met Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Karl Nehammer, and President of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka. Jaishankar held talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, resulting in the signing of five agreements.
During Schallenberg’s visit to India in 2022, discussions covered the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including political, economic, commercial, and consular ties.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law as the foundation for a closer partnership between India and Austria. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his eagerness to welcome Modi, noting the visit as a significant milestone in the 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Responding to Nehammer, Modi expressed his anticipation for discussions on strengthening bilateral bonds and exploring new avenues of cooperation.
Austria is renowned for its rich cultural and architectural heritage, with Vienna famous for its orchestral music and legendary composers. The MEA website also highlights the visits of India’s philosopher-poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore to Vienna in 1921 and 1926 as significant cultural and intellectual exchanges between the two countries.
