PM Narendra Modi Becomes First Indian Prime Minister to Visit Austria in Over 40 Years

Prime Minister Narendra arrived in Austria from Moscow on Tuesday evening, July 9 (local time), on a two-day visit, becoming the first Indian prime minister in over 40 years to visit the country. PM Modi was welcomed by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the airport.

PM Modi has said that the India-Austria friendship is strong and will get even stronger in the future. He met Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer for a private engagement ahead of their official talks on Wednesday to tap the full potential of the bilateral partnership.

"An important milestone in India-Austria partnership! PM @narendramodi hosted by Austrian Chancellor @karlnehammer for a private engagement. This is the first meeting between the two leaders. Discussions on realising the full potential of bilateral partnership lie ahead," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X (Twitter), along with photographs of the two leaders together in Vienna.

Thank you, Chancellor @karlnehammer, for the warm welcome. I look forward to our discussions tomorrow as well. Our nations will continue working together to further global good. 🇮🇳 🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/QHDvxPt5pv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 9, 2024

Modi was seen hugging Nehammer in one of the photos, while in another, the Austrian chancellor was seen clicking a selfie with the prime minister.

Also Read | 'Welcome to Vienna!': Austrian chancellor hosts PM Modi for private engagement.

Nehammer posted a photo of him and Modi on the microblogging platform and said: "Welcome to Vienna, PM @narendramodi! It is a pleasure and honour to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I look forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit!"

Welcome to Vienna, PM @narendramodi ! It is a pleasure and honour to welcome you to Austria. Austria and India are friends and partners. I look forward to our political and economic discussions during your visit! 🇦🇹 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/e2YJZR1PRs

— Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) July 9, 2024

The prime minister thanked the Austrian chancellor "for the warm welcome" and said he looks forward to "our discussions tomorrow as well. Our nations will continue working together to further global good".

In another post on X, Modi said: "Happy to meet you in Vienna, Chancellor @karlnehammer. The India-Austria friendship is strong and it will get even stronger in the times to come."