Death of innocent people, whether in Ukraine or Gaza or anywhere else, is unacceptable, PM Narendra Modi said after talks with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer as the shadow of Ukraine again loomed over what was the first visit by an Indian PM to Austria in 41 years.
Recalling the 19th century Vienna Congress, which provided direction to peace and stability in Europe, Modi reiterated his message to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2022 that this isn’t the era of war. “We discussed in detail the ongoing conflicts around the world, whether it is the conflict in Ukraine or the situation in West Asia. I have said before that this is not a time for war. Problems cannot be solved on the battlefield. The loss of innocent lives, anywhere, is unacceptable,” Modi said, adding India and Austria emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy for the earliest possible restoration of peace and stability. “We are both ready to provide every possible cooperation to achieve this,” he said.
Interestingly, Nehammer said he and Modi agreed the West and Global South must come together to further pursue the path chosen at the peace summit in Switzerland. “Also, in this regard, India has a crucial role. The war in Ukraine must end,” he said.
While India did participate in the Switzerland summit at the senior official level, it did not endorse the joint declaration that called for making Ukraine’s territorial integrity the basis of any peace process because Russia wasn’t invited to the conference. India’s position has been that enduring peace is possible only through a process that involves both sides.
In the joint statement, both leaders supported any collective effort to facilitate a peaceful resolution consistent with international law and the UN Charter. Both sides believe that achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine requires bringing together all stakeholders and a sincere and earnest engagement between the two parties to the conflict.”
The leaders also stressed the need to intensify cooperation in a range of areas including AI, innovation, water and waste management, infrastructure development and renewable energy.
Austria joined India in unequivocally condemning terrorism and lauded India’s leadership of the IMEC initiative. “We both strongly condemn terrorism. We agree that it is unacceptable in any form and cannot be justified in any way,” Modi said while underlining shared values like democracy and rule of law.
