PM Modi Austria Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for home on Wednesday after concluding his visit to Russia and Austria, during which he met Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in several sectors, including the environment and combating climate change. He also interacted with the people of Indian diaspora in Vienna.
"PM @narendramodi emplanes for New Delhi after concluding a successful visit to Austria," the Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X.
During his visit, the Prime Minister also discussed the ongoing disputes in the world, including the Ukraine conflict and the situation in West Asia, with the two leaders.
"My visit to Austria has been historic and immensely productive. New vigour has been added to the friendship between our nations. I am glad to have attended diverse programmes while in Vienna. Gratitude to Chancellor @karlnehammer, the Austrian Government and people for their hospitality and affection," the prime minister said in a post on X.
Following his Austria visit, PM Modi arrived at Palam airport in Delhi on Thursday morning.
Prior to his visit to Austria, Modi first travelled to Russia, where he participated in the 22nd India-Russia summit with President Vladimir Putin. This was his first trip to Moscow since the Ukraine conflict.
During his visit, he told Russian President Putin that a solution to the Ukraine conflict is not possible on the battlefield and that peace talks do not succeed amidst bombs, guns, and bullets.
On Tuesday, the PM was officially conferred the 'Order of St. Andrew the Apostle' award by President Putin for his contribution to fostering bilateral ties between the two countries. The award was announced in 2019.
'India Gave Buddha To The World': PM Modi Interacts With Indian Diaspora In Vienna
During his visit to Austria, PM Modi said that India has given 'Buddha' to the world, not 'Yuddha' (war) which means it has always given peace and prosperity, and therefore the country is going to strengthen its role in the 21st century.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Vienna on Wednesday, Modi also said that India is working towards being the best, the brightest, achieving the biggest and reaching the highest milestones.
"For thousands of years, we have been sharing our knowledge and expertise. We didn't give 'Yuddha' (war), we gave the world 'Buddha'. India always gave peace and prosperity, and therefore India is going to strengthen its role in the 21st century," Modi said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Describing his first visit to Austria as "meaningful", the Prime Minister emphasised that after 41 years, an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country. "This long wait has come to an end on a historic occasion. India and Austria are celebrating 75 years of their friendship," he said.
"India and Austria are geographically on two different ends, but we have many similarities. Democracy connects both the countries. Our shared values are liberty, equality, pluralism, and respect for the rule of law. Our societies are multicultural and multilingual. Both countries celebrate diversity, and a big medium to reflect these values are elections," he said, amid chants of ‘Modi, Modi’.
Members from Indian diaspora were seen chanting 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' after PM Modi's address during a community event at Sofiensäle in Vienna.