Modi first Indian PM to visit Austria in 41 years, Will strengthen ties between two countries
During his stay, PM Modi engaged in high-level discussions with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and held talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
In a significant milestone, PM to visit Austria, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Vienna late on Tuesday for a two-day visit, marking the first time an Indian leader has set foot in Austria in over four decades. The visit holds immense importance as it coincides with the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between India and Austria.
During his stay, PM Modi engaged in high-level discussions with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and held talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The two leaders addressed business luminaries from both nations, exploring avenues for deeper cooperation and addressing geopolitical challenges.
Advancements in Technology and Defense Collaboration
One of the key highlights of PM Modi’s visit is the collaboration in cutting-edge technology. The Indian Navy is set to leverage Austria-made Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS, developed and produced by Schiebel, a Vienna-based company founded in 1951, represents a significant step forward in bilateral technological exchange.
Speaking to Firstpost, Jajati Mohanty, CEO of Schiebel India, emphasized, “Austrian aerospace and security companies have been at the forefront of technological progress particularly in manufacturing, drones, space equipment, small satellites, robotics, cyber security to name a few and have built up dedicated knowledge management for ensuring consistent and quality products.”
“India’s Atmanirbharta or self-reliance needs the same dedicated approach for quality and consistency in manufacturing of a product,” he continued.
“The knowledge and experience Austria has gained over the years to convert ideas to rugged products calls for areas like unmanned systems, cyber security, precision manufacturing (production engineering), robotics and space technology to be the go to sector for the start-up bridge. All these areas are very fundamental to the industry base of any country that wants to consolidate as well as forge ahead in niche products,” Mohanty further stated.
The Indian Navy has been utilizing the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS for ISR, monitoring sea lanes of communication in the IOR. This collaboration extends beyond naval operations, as both the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Army are poised to adopt the Austria-made UAS in their operations, further enhancing bilateral ties and technological advancements.
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