BLITZ BUREAU
NEW DELHI: India and Austria have identified new possibilities to further strengthen mutual cooperation besides also deciding to give a strategic direction to their bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on July 10.
Making a joint statement along with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, PMModi said that he also held detailed discussions on the current geopolitical situation in the world.
“Chancellor Nehammer and I have discussed in detail all the ongoing disputes in the world, whether it is the conflict in Ukraine or the situation in West Asia. I have said it earlier also that this is not the time for war,” he said.
PM Modi noted that mutual trust and shared interests have strengthened India-Austria relations. “Today I had a very fruitful conversation with Chancellor Nehammer. Shared beliefs in values such as democracy and the rule of law are the strong foundation of India-Austria relations. We both strongly condemn terrorism. We agree that it is not acceptable in any form. It cannot be justified in any way. We also agree to reform the United Nations and other international organizations to make them contemporary and effective,” he said.
Earlier, PM Modiwas accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Federal Chancery as he began his landmark visit to Austria.
Scripting a new chapter in bilateral relations, he was warmly received by Chancellor Nehammer who had last week called the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Vienna as a special honour.
