At the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Dr. Christian Stocker, paid an Official Visit to India from 14-17 April 2026. This is Federal Chancellor Stocker’s first visit to India. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Mr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, senior officials, members of the scientific community and business leaders.
2. Federal Chancellor Stocker called on the Hon’ble President of India, H.E. Smt. Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 16 April 2026. Prime Minister Modi and Federal Chancellor Stocker held bilateral talks in New Delhi and reaffirmed the deep and enduring friendship between India and Austria, founded on shared democratic values, the promotion of human rights, rule of law and mutual respect. The two Leaders reviewed developments in bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at the continued progress achieved across different sectors. They also exchanged views on EU-India relations as well as regional and global developments of mutual interest and reiterated the deep commitment of both nations towards global peace and prosperity. Prime Minister Modi also hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting dignitary.
3. Federal Chancellor Stocker recalled the historic visit of Prime Minister Modi to Austria in July 2024, after a gap of more than four decades, which had imparted decisive momentum to bilateral relations. The two Leaders welcomed the significant progress in implementing the Joint Statement on ‘Enhanced India-Austria Partnership’ announced during Prime Minister Modi’s visit in 2024. Prime Minister Modi noted that Federal Chancellor Stocker’s visit to India was, similarly, the first visit of an Austrian Chancellor to India in 42 years. The two Leaders welcomed the establishment of regular contact at the high political level as a key facet of the Enhanced India-Austria Partnership.
4. Prime Minister Modi and Federal Chancellor Stocker reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the bilateral economic and commercial partnership as well as foster new avenues of collaboration between the two countries in the economic and commercial sphere.
5. Federal Chancellor Stocker congratulated Prime Minister Modi on India’s successful hosting of the AI Impact Summit 2026, at which Austria was represented by State Secretary for Digitalization in the Federal Chancellery, Mr. Alexander Proell. Both Leaders shared views on the need for advancing secure, trustworthy and robust AI for maximizing societal and economic benefits taking into account the principles of research security.
Security, Defence and Counter-Terrorism
6. Both Leaders categorically and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on 10 November 2025. The two Leaders called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. They underlined the need for cooperation to counter violent radicalization and extremism, and specifically the financing of terrorism, including by promoting internationally agreed anti-money laundering standards as well as to prevent exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and to tackle terrorist recruitment. The Leaders reaffirmed strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt the terror financing channels, including at the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
7. The Leaders welcomed the signing of Letter of Intent to set up the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, which will serve as a platform to enhance bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, and counter radicalisation through information and knowledge sharing and capacity building within appropriate multilateral fora and in the framework of the respective collaboration between India and the European Union.
8. The two Leaders also welcomed recent and ongoing close cooperation between relevant agencies of both countries, especially to address new and emerging threats, including in the cyber domain. In this context, they agreed to launch an institutional Cybersecurity Dialogue between the two countries.
9. Welcoming the signing of the India–Austria Letter of Intent (LoI) on Cooperation in Military Matters, the two Leaders underscored the potential for significant cooperation in this sector. The LoI will provide an institutional framework for promoting defence industrial cooperation and technology partnership, building 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. Noting the role played by India and Austria in UN Peacekeeping Operations, the Leaders welcomed the proposed partnership between India’s Centre for UN Peacekeeping and Austrian Armed Forces International Centre (AUTINT).
Trade, Investment and Innovation
10. Acknowledging the steady growth and positive trajectory of bilateral economic relations, both Leaders emphasized that significant potential exists for further expanding bilateral trade, investment and technology partnerships. India is one of Austria’s most important trading partners outside the EU. Both Leaders welcome the development of the bilateral trade relations and aim to further increase the overall trade volume in the coming years. In this context, they noted the successful visit to Austria in April 2025 by the Finance Minister of India Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, soon after the new government led by Federal Chancellor Stocker assumed office, during which Minister Sitharaman and Minister Hattmannsdorfer had also jointly addressed Austrian business representatives.
11. They encouraged the business community in both countries to actively explore trade and investment opportunities inter alia in priority sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, railways, roads and other transport infrastructure, smart mobility, green technologies, renewable energy, waste management and digital innovation. The Leaders highlighted the openings that would arise through the implementation of the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) initialled earlier this year. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Federal Chancellor Stocker’s strong support for early ratification and speedy implementation of the FTA. In order to facilitate investment and business operations, both sides agreed to establish a Fast-Track Mechanism to address issues faced by companies and investors in both countries at an early stage.
12. Recognizing the importance of innovation-driven growth, the Leaders welcomed continued collaboration between the startups, unicorns, innovation ecosystems and venture capital networks of the two countries. In this context, they welcomed ongoing cooperation under the India–Austria Startup Bridge launched in 2024 and called for focussed efforts to expand networks and frameworks for exchanges between startups, incubators, accelerators and the innovation agencies of both countries.
13. The Leaders noted that cooperation in transport infrastructure was an area of continued interest to both countries, especially in view of established competencies of Austrian entities in the roads, railways, ropeways, tunnelling and related sectors which could play an important role in the expanded programme of infrastructure development in India. In this context, they welcomed the renewal of the bilateral MoU on technical cooperation in the road infrastructure sector, with the first Joint Working Group set to convene within the year 2026. Furthermore, they noted the established framework for cooperation in the railways sector. They accordingly encouraged relevant agencies as well as companies of both countries active in the field of transport infrastructure to enhance interactions and actively explore avenues for engagement, including through public-private partnerships.
14. Prime Minister Modi emphasized India’s continued and significant expansion in renewable energy, which opens pathways for Austrian companies for partnerships in this area, including in electric grids and related equipment. The two Leaders expressed satisfaction at recent tie-ups between companies in emerging renewable energy domains such as pumped storage renewable projects and encouraged companies of both countries to explore partnerships in areas such as Green Hydrogen storage/transportation.
15. The two Leaders welcomed ongoing efforts to expand cooperation in the banking and financial sectors, including the opportunities presented to Austrian banks and investors through the GIFT City which had been showcased in Austria in 2025. The Leaders also noted India’s unique experience in rolling out Digital Public Infrastructure at scale, including digital payments such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and discussed possibilities for cooperation in this area.
16. Both Leaders recognised that space has become a critical infrastructure underpinning global economic progress, security, innovation, and technological advancement. They emphasised that space technologies and space-based data have become indispensable to the modern digital society and play a vital role in people’s daily lives. The Leaders highlighted that the space expertise and capacities of both countries provide a solid foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation that fosters innovation, supports industry, and inspires future generations. Prime Minister Modi informed that India’s Space Policy 2023 provides an enabling and dynamic framework for non-governmental entities to undertake end-to-end activities in the space domain, and underscored the growing role of Indian start-ups and private companies. Both sides reaffirmed their shared vision of the peaceful use and exploration of space, recognising the importance of international partnerships in addressing global challenges. To further expand their partnership, both sides agreed to jointly organise a bilateral space industry seminar in Vienna in Autumn 2026.
17. Austria expressed its interest in strengthening cooperation in the field of aviation as a means to further enhance bilateral connectivity. Both sides share the ambition to facilitate and accelerate the granting of permissions and licenses for airspace users, and to deepen collaboration in research, development, and production of innovative products, services, and solutions within the aviation sector. In this context, both sides reaffirmed their intention to resume negotiations for a new Air Services Agreement promptly with a view to strengthening connectivity and bilateral aviation relations and supported initiatives to expand air connectivity.
Science & Technology
18. Recognizing the transformative potential of new and emerging technologies, the Leaders identified high-technology cooperation as a central pillar of the Enhanced India–Austria partnership. In this context, they expressed satisfaction at the regular discussions between the two sides under the framework of the Joint Committee on Science & Technology and welcomed identification of several collaborative R&D projects including in the areas of material science and technology, quantum technology, wastewater treatment, machine learning, lasers, etc.
19. They encouraged even closer collaboration between research institutions, universities and tech companies in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, semiconductor technologies, quantum communication, cybersecurity, bio-safety standards and digitalisation. In this context, the importance of strengthening cooperation in research, development and innovative joint projects, academic partnerships and industry collaboration taking into account measures to safeguard research was emphasized. In particular, the existing cooperation in quantum physics was highlighted with the ambition to further deepen the collaboration at various levels.
20. Both Leaders highlighted the strong and growing collaboration between the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Indian partners, in particular in the field of electrical equipment. The Austrian side highlighted AIT’s advanced solutions in areas such as distributed fibre-optic sensing for railway infrastructure and next-generation electric commercial vehicles as providing a strong basis for further expanding joint research and innovation activities.
Food Safety
21. The Leaders welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). The MoU will promote cooperation in food safety standards, scientific exchange, capacity building and sharing of best practices in food regulation and risk assessment thereby promoting trade in agricultural and food products, while ensuring highest priority for safety standards.
Education, Mobility and Skills Development
22. The Leaders recognized the growing importance of educational ties as a vital driver of the bilateral partnership and welcomed growing exchanges between their students, academics, researchers and skilled professionals.
23. In this regard, both Leaders welcomed the Focus India initiative of Austria's leading technical universities to systematically deepen educational cooperation and research cooperation with India and expressed particular satisfaction at the launch, by the three public technical universities in Austria (Technische Universität Wien, Technische Universität Graz und Montanuniversität Leoben) under the heading of "TU Austria”, of a dedicated portal to facilitate admissions for Indian students to pursue engineering and technical masters programmes in Austria.
24. The Leaders encouraged academic institutions of both countries to build future-oriented institutional partnerships focused on areas of mutual interest, especially in science, technology and engineering, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship. In this regard, the Leaders welcomed recent Memoranda of Understanding signed between various Indian and Austrian higher education institutions as an important step towards expanding academic partnerships, joint research as well as mobility of students and faculty between Austria and India.
25. Recognizing the growing potential for strengthening cooperation in higher education, skills development, and student mobility between India and Austria, the leaders welcomed the signing of Joint Letter of Intent regarding dual vocational training, skill development and the recognition of vocational qualifications. It was agreed to launch a structured bilateral Dialogue on Cooperation in Education to enhance skills development, promote curricula development, facilitate the mutual recognition of qualifications, and support institutional collaboration in higher education and the development of vocational education and training systems.
26. The Leaders agreed that the Working Holiday Programme offers young people of both countries excellent opportunities for professional development and cultural exchange and welcomed the operationalisation of the Programme.
27. They noted that the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (CMMPA) signed between India and Austria in 2023 provides an institutional framework to facilitate collaboration on safe, regular and orderly migration, through legal pathways for highly skilled workers, students, researchers, whilst also strengthening cooperation on countering irregular migration, in accordance with respective national competences and laws. In this regard, they welcomed the meetings of the Subgroups on Healthcare Personnel and Vocational Education and Training held in March 2026 which discussed the way forward for implementation of the CMMPA most recently. To further strengthen cooperation in this area, both sides welcomed Austria's plan to develop a pre-check register to match the level of qualification of Indian skilled workers with the Austrian requirements for shortage occupations. Additionally, an in-depth discussion regarding branch and/or regional cooperation in dual Vocational Education and Training reflecting specific needs of qualifications of the economy shall be initiated. Both Sides expressed willingness to further strengthen cooperation in this domain for fully implementing the CMMPA.
Cultural Cooperation and People-to-People ties
28. The Leaders appreciated the long tradition of cultural exchanges between India and Austria, including the contributions of Indologists and other cultural personalities who have fostered closer understanding between the two societies. The Leaders noted the growing interest in Yoga, Ayurveda and Indian culture in Austria, and acknowledged that initiatives such as the ‘Bounce Back with Yoga’ initiative, through which free yoga classes are offered to Austrian schools within the framework of the EU’s ‘BOUNCE BACK’ programme to build resilience and life skills of primary and secondary school students.
29. They welcomed the signing of the Agreement on Audiovisual Co-Production, which will provide a framework for enhanced cooperation between the film industries of the two countries and facilitate joint film production, creative exchanges and greater cultural engagement.
30. The Leaders recognized the role played by tourism in generating economic, sustainable and inclusive growth as well as fostering greater understanding between the people of both countries. They encouraged relevant agencies to work together to expand tourist flows in both directions, including by promoting destination awareness and strengthening cooperation between tourism stakeholders.
India–EU Relations
31. Both Leaders welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and of the new Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, endorsed in the India-EU Summit on 27 January 2026, based on shared values and principles, mutual trust, converging interests, and shared political will. They agreed that India and the EU can be stable, predictable, and trusted partners, building a multifaceted and deepening long-term relationship with many positive outcomes for both sides.
32. In addition to economic benefits by enhancing market access and removing trade barriers, the two Leaders noted that the FTA could support economic security and resilience through diversifying critical value chains and opening new markets.
33. As a platform to address key trade, technology, and economic security issues, the Leaders reaffirmed their support to further enhance the work of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council as the cornerstone of the India-EU technology partnership.
34. They underscored that the signing of the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership added another meaningful dimension to the India-EU Strategic Partnership that will deepen cooperation in areas of shared interests, including maritime security, defence industry, cyber and hybrid threats, space, as well as counter-terrorism.
35. The Leaders lauded the signing of the MoU on Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility and the launch of a pilot European Union Legal Gateway Office in India, which will further promote legal pathways for movement of professionals, skilled workforce and students and strengthen people-to-people ties between India and the EU.
36. They underlined the great potential of exploratory talks between the Indian Government and the European Commission on a possible association of India to EU’s research framework program "Horizon Europe” that started in February 2026. An association would open a wide range of opportunities for Indian and Austrian partners to cooperate in forward-looking research topics of common interest.
Multilateral Cooperation
37. The Leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to multilateralism, the principles of the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a rules-based international order.
38. They also reiterated their commitment to achieving comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including its Security Council, in order to make it more representative, inclusive and reflective of contemporary geopolitical realities.
39. The Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to promoting a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific, in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS.
40. Both Sides will continue to support 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.
41. The two sides discussed the recent developments of concern in the West Asia region. They underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving issues in a peaceful manner, including safe and unimpeded passage of maritime shipping.
Conclusion
42. The Leaders expressed satisfaction at the highly positive trajectory of India–Austria relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further expanding cooperation across all sectors. They agreed to maintain regular high-level exchanges and strengthen institutional dialogue mechanisms to support and guide the growing bilateral partnership.
43. Federal Chancellor Stocker expressed his sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Government and people of India.
44. The Leaders agreed to remain in contact in a shared spirit of mutual respect and collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening the Enhanced India-Austria Partnership.
New Delhi
April 16, 2026