India-Austria partnership - Current Affairs UPSC

The Prime Minister of India visited Austria on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Austria.

On the invitation of Karl Nehammer (Chancellor of Austria), the Indian Prime Minister paid an official visit to Austria from 9-10 July 2024.
During the visit, the PM and Chancellor emphasized that shared values of democracy, freedom, a rules-based international order, and the long-standing ties between the two countries are at the centre of the growing enhanced partnership.
Both the leaders emphasised a future-oriented bilateral sustainable economic and technology partnership, covering a range of new initiatives and joint projects, research and innovation and business-to-business engagement in various areas like green and digital technologies, renewable energy, water management, smart cities, mobility and transportation, etc.

Diplomatic relations between India and Austria were established on 10 November 1949.
Austria is a member of the European Union which has significant relations with India.
Several bilateral agreements/MoUs have been signed with Austria both at an inter-government level as well as between institutions, providing the framework for wide-ranging cooperation.

Both countries agreed to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific in accordance with the international law of the sea as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Both countries collectively facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine war with international law and the UN Charter.
Both sides also concerted action against all terrorists, including through designations or individuals affiliated with groups that are listed by the United Nations (UN) Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee.
The 1267 Committee manage and update the sanctions lists, as well as monitors and supports the implementation of the sanctions regimes set out in UNSCR 1267 and subsequent related resolutions.
Both countries reiterated their commitment to work together in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), No Money For Terror (NMFT) and other multilateral platforms.
Both leaders agreed to increase the flow of commerce and energy between India, the Middle East and Europe through the India-Middle East- Europe Corridor (IMEC).
IMEC is an economic corridor launched in 2023 to boost the economic development between Asia, the Persian Gulf and Europe.

Both leaders welcomed the first-ever high-level bilateral Business Forum with the participation of the CEOs of several companies in Vienna.
Both countries welcomed the Start-Up bridge (inaugurated in Feb 2024) to link innovation and start-up ecosystems.
Engagement of the Austrian government’s Hydrogen Strategy and India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission to address the energy transition challenges and for research in renewable/green hydrogen.
Both leaders welcomed the operationalisation of the bilateral Migration and Mobility Agreement for skill development and mobility of skilled personnel.

India reiterated its support for Austria’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) candidature for the term 2027-28, while Austria expressed its support for India’s candidature for the period 2028-29.
invited Austria for its membership in the International Solar Alliance.