This handout picture taken and launched by the Austrian Ministry for European and Worldwide Affairs exhibits Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar along with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg throughout a gathering in Vienna on January 2, 2023.
| Picture Credit score: AFP PHOTO/MICHAEL GRUBER BMEIA
Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on January 2, 2023 held “open and productive” discussions along with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg on a spread of regional and international conditions and the 2 sides inked a lot of agreements, together with one on migration and mobility for Indian college students and professionals.
Mr. Jaishankar, who arrived in Vienna from Cyprus on the second leg of his two-nation tour, additionally mentioned his in depth dialog with Austrian leaders, together with President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer, was very worthwhile in understanding Austria’s viewpoint, each “about our relationship in addition to on present international points.”
“We had open and productive discussions on a spread of regional and international conditions. By and enormous, I’d say, our approaches are comparable, although clearly we’re situated in numerous areas…I admire the exchanges we’ve had each in the present day and yesterday on Ukraine, on the Center East, on South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. They’ve introduced out the numerous convergences in our considering,” he mentioned whereas addressing a joint press convention along with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg.
Noting that the 2 sides have concluded a lot of agreements, Jaishankar mentioned {that a} significantly noteworthy one is the initialling of the Complete Migration and Mobility Partnership Settlement.
“It’s going to allow calls for for expertise and skills to be synchronized with their availability. Related agreements have been just lately concluded by India with Germany, France, Portugal, UK and Denmark, amongst others. It’s going to assist us to cooperatively broaden our financial alternatives and meet the necessities of the worldwide data financial system,” he mentioned. “We would like a good, authorized and equal alternative to display the contributions of Indian expertise and skills.” Jaishankar on Sunday mentioned one settlement on ‘Working Vacation’ programme will allow Indian college students in Austria to work for six months.
On his half, Overseas Minister Schallenberg mentioned that simply an preliminary settlement on a complete migration and mobility partnership has been signed which is of strategic significance for his nation.
“It is a signal of a really intensified cooperation in a matter which is of excessive significance…as a result of final 12 months, we skilled the very best quantity ever of asylum seekers in Austria over 100,000. And we had an explosion,” he mentioned.
He mentioned the numbers of Indians coming in illegally through Serbia to Austria reached 18,000 final 12 months from 600 asylum functions from Indian residents in 2021.
“The issue is just not migration to be very clear. We would like that we’d like them. The issue is against the law immigration,” he mentioned. “We want immigration, however immigration managed by states and never by organised crime by human traffickers.” He mentioned this migration mobility settlement was exemplary as a result of on the one hand India would take again individuals are available in illegally and on the opposite aspect, Austria would make mobility and migration easier.
Jaishankar mentioned India views Austria as a “critical and consequential associate” in the case of bilateral cooperation.
“You might have experiences and capabilities which can be related to India’s modernisation and progress. These are guided by authorities insurance policies however finally, carried out by means of enterprise transactions. Our dedication in the present day is to take each points ahead in tandem and I sit up for concrete initiatives,” he mentioned.
The 2 nations have at the moment commerce turnover of roughly USD 2.5 billion. Greater than 150 Australian corporations are current in India. “We want these numbers additionally to develop,” he mentioned.
“There are a lot of Austrian corporations who can extra actively contribute to our nationwide priorities. Equally, our enterprises can also generate worth and employment when situated in Austria. Our accountability as ministers is to guarantee that such partnerships occur,” he mentioned.
He mentioned that within the manufacturing area, the post-Covid world is searching for larger resilience and reliability of provide chains. Equally, the digital world is placing a larger emphasis on belief and transparency. “We imagine that India is a part of each options.”
The minister mentioned that Austria is a vital associate for India within the European Union at a time when it seeks to improve its relationship. “We admire its robust help for the negotiations underway on the FTA, the funding settlement and the geographical indicators settlement. Their conclusion will clearly have a constructive influence on our bilateral financial partnership as nicely.” He mentioned the 2 sides have a robust assembly of minds on the challenges confronting the worldwide group.
“Whether or not it’s pandemics or local weather change, terrorism or cyber safety, our pursuits are certainly very convergent,” he added.
That is the primary EAM-level go to from India to Austria within the final 27 years, and it takes place in opposition to the backdrop of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the 2 nations in 2023.
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