Federal Chancellor of Austria, H.E. Dr Christian Stocker, paid an official visit to India from 14 to 17 April, marking his first visit to Asia as Chancellor. He was accompanied by the Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Dr Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, an official delegation, and a business delegation representing 60 Austrian companies, reflecting the strong emphasis both countries place on expanding trade and investment ties.
During the visit, Federal Chancellor Stocker met External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on 15 April to review bilateral relations and exchange views on global developments. He later held wide-ranging talks with Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Enhanced India-Austria Partnership. Discussions covered key areas including trade, investment, technology, green energy, education, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties. Both leaders also highlighted the significance of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, recognising the potential to open new opportunities for trade, investment, and employment.
A major outcome of the visit was the conclusion of fifteen agreements and institutional mechanisms spanning defence, technology, innovation, and skills development. These included the establishment of a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies, an Agreement on Audiovisual Co-production, a Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Military Matters, a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, and an MoU on Food Safety between Austria’s AGES and India’s FSSAI. In addition, both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in vocational training, launch a cybersecurity dialogue, and prioritise research collaboration in emerging technologies.
The Federal Chancellor also called on Honourable President Smt Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where discussions focused on expanding cooperation in high-growth sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, and artificial intelligence. President Murmu underlined that, as two knowledge-based economies, India and Austria have considerable scope to strengthen collaboration in science, technology, and innovation, while also expressing confidence that closer economic engagement would deepen trade and investment flows.
Economic cooperation was further reinforced at the India-Austria Business Forum, co-chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Piyush Goyal and Austrian Economy Minister Mr Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer. Bringing together senior business leaders from both countries, the forum focused on strengthening industrial partnerships by combining India’s skilled workforce with Austrian technological expertise. Chancellor Stocker’s keynote address highlighted the importance of greater business integration and innovation-led growth.
The visit also opened avenues for future collaboration beyond traditional sectors. The upcoming second WAVES Summit is expected to create new opportunities for cooperation in the creative economy, while the recently established India-Austria Parliamentary Friendship Group is set to enhance parliamentary engagement between the two countries.
Following these engagements, the Ministry of External Affairs held a special media briefing attended by Mr Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of MEA, Mr Sibi George, Secretary (West), and Mr Shambu Kumaran, Ambassador of India to Austria, where they outlined the major outcomes of the visit.
Overall, Chancellor Stocker’s visit reaffirmed the enduring and multifaceted partnership between India and Austria, grounded in shared democratic values and a common commitment to expanding cooperation across strategic, economic, and technological domains.
