Whole world impacted, military conflicts won’t resolve issues, says PM Modi as India, Austria ramp up defence, counterterrorism cooperation

NEW DELHI: As he held talks with visiting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, PM Narendra Modi stressed that both India and Austria backed stable, sustainable and lasting peace in both Ukraine and West Asia, and reiterated that military conflict will not help resolve any issue. The visit by Stocker, the first by an Austrian chancellor in 42 years, saw over a dozen agreements and announcements for cooperation in key areas, including counterterrorism, military affairs and technology. In his media statement after the bilateral meeting, Modi said that the entire world was going through a very serious and tense situation, with its impact felt by all. “In such a tense global environment, India and Austria are in agreement that solutions cannot be achieved through military conflict. Whether in Ukraine or West Asia, we support a stable, sustainable, and lasting peace,” said the PM, adding that both sides also agreed that reform of global institutions is essential to address the growing global challenges. On West Asia, MEA secretary (west) Sibi George said, both sides underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving issues, including the need for safe and unimpeded passage for maritime shipping. On Ukraine, India and Austria backed efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy, based on the “principles of the UN Charter and of international law, including independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Modi also said that eradicating terrorism at its roots remained a shared commitment with Austria. India and Austria signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism for exploring areas of strategic cooperation in the fight against terrorism and radicalisation. Both sides also unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, in a joint statement. They also condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the Red Fort “terror incident”. Both sides signed another LoI that will provide an institutional framework for promoting cooperation in military matters, defence industrial and technology partnership. According to the joint statement, the agreement will build on the “momentum” of the India-EU Defence and Security Partnership signed on 27 January 2026, as well as facilitate defence policy dialogue, training and capacity building. India and Austria’s efforts to upgrade their bilateral partnership received a boost in 2024 with Modi travelling to Vienna - on his way back from Russia - for what was the first visit by an Indian PM to Austria in 41 years. Modi’s visit to Austria was also meant to blunt criticism by the West of his engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid heightened EU-Russia tensions over the Ukraine war. Apart from the finalisation of 6 agreements, there were 9 other announcements on Thursday to provide a fillip to bilateral cooperation in areas like high-technology, education, space, startup ecosystems and cyber security. Modi said that after the India–EU Free Trade Agreement in 2026, a new phase had started in India–EU relations and that through Stocker's visit, India-Austria relations were entering a new era. He said India and Austria were trusted partners in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability. “By combining Austria’s expertise with India’s speed and scale, we aim to build reliable technologies and supply chains for the world. We will also deepen our partnerships in defense, semiconductors, quantum technology, and biotechnology,” said the PM. “India’s talent has the potential to enhance Austria’s innovation and productivity. In 2023, we concluded a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement with Austria. Under this Agreement, we will now further advance mobility in the nursing sector as well,” added the PM.