PM Narendra Modi Calls for Lasting Peace in West Asia During Talks with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised the urgent need for lasting peace in West Asia, stating that military conflicts cannot offer long-term solutions to complex global challenges.
His remarks came after a bilateral meeting with visiting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, who is on his first official visit to India and his maiden trip to Asia.
Highlighting the fragile global situation, Modi said the world is passing through a period of serious uncertainty and tension, the effects of which are being felt across continents.
He underlined that both India and Austria share the belief that dialogue and diplomacy, rather than armed conflict, are the only sustainable paths to peace.
Referring to ongoing crises in Ukraine and West Asia, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s consistent position that stability and long-term peace must remain the ultimate objective of the international community.
India has maintained a balanced stance on global conflicts, including the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, and has now voiced similar concerns regarding the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Echoing these sentiments, Chancellor Stocker observed that the world is currently witnessing major geopolitical shifts, with emerging alliances and increasingly complex conflicts.
He described India as a dependable and valued partner for Austria, adding that both nations support a global order governed by rules, cooperation and mutual respect rather than dominance by force.
Stocker’s visit, scheduled from April 14 to April 18, assumes added significance as it marks the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor to India in more than four decades.
It is also the second high-level European political visit since tensions escalated in Tehran earlier this year. Earlier, Finnish President Alexander Stubb had travelled to India in March to participate in the Raisina Dialogue.
During his visit, Stocker also held discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Prime Minister Modi described the visit as an important milestone in strengthening ties between India and Austria, particularly in the backdrop of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement concluded earlier this year.
According to him, the agreement has opened a new chapter in India’s engagement with Europe, and Stocker’s visit is expected to further deepen bilateral cooperation.
Both leaders reiterated their shared commitment towards combating terrorism and emphasised the need for reforms in global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council so that they remain relevant in addressing modern global challenges.
During the visit, India and Austria signed several agreements covering key sectors such as defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, skill development and investment facilitation.
The two countries also agreed to establish a fast-track mechanism to resolve issues faced by businesses and investors from both sides.
The partnership between the two nations continues to expand in infrastructure and engineering.
Austrian expertise has contributed to major projects in India, including metro rail systems, tunnelling works such as the Atal Tunnel in the Himalayas, railway infrastructure, ropeway development and clean energy initiatives.
Prime Minister Modi expressed satisfaction that Chancellor Stocker was accompanied by a strong business delegation, reflecting Austria’s growing interest in India’s expanding economy.
Both sides also discussed enhancing cooperation in emerging technologies such as semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
Chancellor Stocker pointed out that India has emerged as one of Austria’s most significant trading partners outside Europe, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $3 billion.
Several forward-looking initiatives were also announced, including the India-Austria Startup Bridge aimed at strengthening collaboration between startup ecosystems.
The two countries also launched dialogues on cybersecurity and education cooperation to promote skill development and academic exchange.
A Joint Committee on Science and Technology will identify collaborative research opportunities in areas such as material sciences, quantum technology, machine learning, laser technology and wastewater management.
The Focus India initiative will further enhance academic ties between leading technical institutions in both countries and facilitate opportunities for Indian students pursuing higher studies in engineering and technology in Austria.
(Montanuniversität Leoben)
Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Montanuniversität Leoben, describing it as a strong example of knowledge sharing between the two nations.
The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation in the nursing sector and launched the India-Austria Working Holiday Programme to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange.
Additionally, both countries decided to strengthen collaboration between India’s Centre for UN Peacekeeping and the Austrian Armed Forces International Centre.
As part of future engagement, India and Austria will jointly organise a bilateral space industry seminar in Vienna in the autumn of 2026, reflecting the growing depth and diversity of their strategic partnership.
