"We have a long friendship and strong bilateral relations with India, especially in the economic area. Now we want to expand them further," the Austrian president said after talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Vienna.
Van der Bellen thanked the Indian Prime Minister for his visit to Austria and stated that both countries can work in several areas, including the fight against climate change.
"As the world's most populous country and a global economic power, India plays an important role in the common fight against climate catastrophe. We need India as a partner in a structurally sustainable transformation towards climate neutrality," he said. He noted that the two leaders also discussed current geopolitical challenges, especially the Russia-Ukraine war.
"We agreed that Ukraine urgently needs peace and that we will support efforts in this direction," the Austrian president posted on X.
India said both leaders deliberated on ways to strengthen India-Austria relations in a number of sectors.
"I had a very good meeting with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and we discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation between India and Austria," Prime Minister Modi said.
Earlier, PM Modi held talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer as both countries identified "new possibilities" to further strengthen mutual cooperation and also decided to give a strategic direction to their bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Nehammer also met with business leaders from India and Austria, with the Indian Prime Minister emphasizing that both nations are confident of taking advantage of "the many opportunities" ahead to boost trade ties.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years.
Van der Bellen thanked the Indian Prime Minister for his visit to Austria and stated that both countries can work in several areas, including the fight against climate change.
"As the world's most populous country and a global economic power, India plays an important role in the common fight against climate catastrophe. We need India as a partner in a structurally sustainable transformation towards climate neutrality," he said. He noted that the two leaders also discussed current geopolitical challenges, especially the Russia-Ukraine war.
"We agreed that Ukraine urgently needs peace and that we will support efforts in this direction," the Austrian president posted on X.
India said both leaders deliberated on ways to strengthen India-Austria relations in a number of sectors.
"I had a very good meeting with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and we discussed the possibilities of expanding cooperation between India and Austria," Prime Minister Modi said.
Earlier, PM Modi held talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer as both countries identified "new possibilities" to further strengthen mutual cooperation and also decided to give a strategic direction to their bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Nehammer also met with business leaders from India and Austria, with the Indian Prime Minister emphasizing that both nations are confident of taking advantage of "the many opportunities" ahead to boost trade ties.
This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years.
