India is the biggest democracy in the world and its role, especially for Austria, is more than important to the peace process and future peace summits, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the European country.
Speaking on the Ukraine war, the Austrian Chancellor said that Vienna is making a substantial contribution to the peace process and added that India's participation in the Swiss Peace Summit is an important signal.
"Austria is making a substantial contribution (to the peace process). We are supporting the policy of the EU on the one hand, but on the other hand, we have also delivered 250 Million Euros in bilateral aid. For me, it was an important signal that India, as a founding member of the BRICS, participated in the Swiss Peace Summit," Karl Nehammer said, according to ANI.
We have been talking about an even stronger commitment and about the possibilities of reviving the peace process, he said.
"PM Modi and myself discussed the unique position of India in the so-called global south. India is an important, influential and credit-worthy country. India is the biggest democracy in the world. Therefore, India's role, especially for Austria, is more than important when it comes to the peace process and future peace summits," Nehammer added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi called his trip to Austria historic by saying that an Indian prime minister was visiting the country after 41 years.
"I am happy that during the beginning of my third term itself, I got the opportunity to visit Austria. This trip of mine is historic and special. After 41 years, an Indian PM has visited Austria. Today, a very meaningful discussion took place between Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and me," Modi said.
"We discussed new possibilities to strengthen our ties further. We have decided to give these ties a strategic direction... In sectors like infrastructure development, renewable energy, hydrogen, water and waste management, artificial intelligence... We work towards linking each other's capabilities," he added.
Speaking on the Ukraine war, the Indian Prime Minister said, "I have told earlier also, this is not the time for war, we won't be able to find solution to problems in the Warfield. Wherever it is, killing of innocent people is unacceptable. India and Austria emphasize dialogue and diplomacy, and for that, we are together ready to give any support required."
He said that the two countries discussed challenges facing humanity including climate change and tourism.
"We discussed the biggest challenges humanity is facing right now, including climate change and terrorism. In the climate subject, we are inviting Austria, to join our initiatives like international solar alliance, collision for disaster resilient infrastructure and bio-fuel alliance. We both strongly condemn terrorism. We agree that terrorism can't be justified in any way," PM Modi said.
The Austrian Chancellor further said that New Delhi and Vienna had a very good relationship which began in the 1950s.
"There is a very good relationship between India and Austria. It's a relationship of trust which began in the 1950s...India helped Austria and in 1955, the negotiations came to a positive conclusion with the Austrian State Treaty. What unites India and Austria is concern over the development of the geopolitical situation," Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said.