Delhi, April 16: Dr. Christian Stocker, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.

Welcoming Dr Stocker on his first visit to India, the President said that India and Austria share close and friendly relations based on common values such as democracy and the rule of law.

The President said that in 2024, on the occasion of 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Austria, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit gave a new direction to our relations, leading to expanded cooperation in new areas such as innovation, renewable and clean energy, hydrogen, water and waste management, and AI.

The President underlined that this visit is taking place soon after the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement. She expressed confidence that this will provide fresh momentum to India-Austria growing trade and investment ties. She said that Austrian companies have vast opportunities to expand trade and investment in India, especially in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, green energy, and AI. She highlighted that both India and Austria are knowledge-based economies and there are immense possibilities to enhance bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

The President said that India has one of the world’s largest start-up ecosystems. She was happy to note that the “India-Austria Start-up Bridge,” launched in 2024, is strengthening bilateral cooperation in this area.

The two leaders agreed that this visit will provide momentum to all important dimensions of bilateral relations between India and Austria