New Delhi: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger to review cooperation between the two countries and discuss global developments, expressing hope that India and Austria could work together to contribute to international peace and security.
“These are complicated times in the world, and it's natural that India and Austria, who have such a warm and friendly relationship, would discuss many of those issues and see how we can together contribute to international peace and security,” Jaishankar said in his opening remarks.
Recalling Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker's visit to India in April, Jaishankar said the meeting provided an opportunity to review progress on the understandings and agreements reached during the visit.
He also congratulated Austria on becoming a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, highlighting the two countries' longstanding cooperation within the UN framework.
On bilateral economic ties, Jaishankar said cooperation was progressing well but had further scope for growth. He highlighted expanding people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in science and technology and on climate issues.
Referring to India's growing engagement with the European Union (EU), Jaishankar expressed hope for the conclusion and entry into force of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement in the coming months.
He also said the strategic, security and defence partnership between India and Austria was advancing, adding that the two sides had a productive agenda ahead.
Meinl-Reisinger, Austria's Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, is on an official visit to India from October 27 to November 2.
(With agency inputs from ANI)
