India and Austria on Thursday signed multiple agreements and announcements aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation across defence, trade, technology, education and culture.
The outcomes followed wide-ranging bilateral talks held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Stocker’s visit was his first official visit to India – also the first by an Austrian Chancellor in four decades.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Held very productive discussions with Chancellor Stocker of Austria. We in India are glad that he selected our nation as his first destination to visit outside Europe after he assumed office. This reflects his vision and commitment to India-Austria relations. Equally special is the fact that this is the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor in four decades. His visit also comes in the wake of the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has ushered in a new chapter in India-EU ties.”
Key agreements signed
Among the major outcomes, both sides signed an agreement on audiovisual co-production to promote collaboration between their film industries, enabling joint productions and creative exchanges.
A joint announcement was made to establish a fast-track mechanism to address issues faced by businesses and investors in both countries. The initiative is expected to improve ease of doing business and strengthen investor confidence.
In the defence sector, a Letter of Intent was signed to enhance cooperation in military matters, including defence technology, training and policy dialogue. Another Letter of Intent focused on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation, including plans to establish a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.
The two sides also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on food safety between Austria’s AGES and India’s FSSAI, aimed at enhancing standards, scientific collaboration and trade in agricultural products.
Additionally, a joint Letter of Intent on vocational training and skills development seeks to expand cooperation in apprenticeship programmes and facilitate recognition of Indian vocational qualifications in Austria.
Focus on infrastructure, startups and cybersecurity
Several key announcements were also made during the visit. India and Austria agreed to renew their MoU on technical cooperation in road infrastructure, focusing on intelligent transport systems, road safety and traffic management.
Both countries also committed to expanding collaboration between their startup ecosystems under the India-Austria Startup Bridge, promoting engagement between startups, investors and innovation networks.
A new institutional cybersecurity dialogue will be launched to strengthen cooperation in digital security, while a partnership between India’s Centre for UN Peacekeeping and Austria’s AUTINT will enhance collaboration in peacekeeping training and operations.
Expanding cooperation in space, technology and education
India and Austria agreed to jointly organise a bilateral space industry seminar in Vienna in Autumn 2026, reflecting growing interest in space sector collaboration.
High-technology cooperation was identified as a central pillar of the partnership, with plans to undertake joint research and development projects in areas such as quantum technology, machine learning, material science and wastewater treatment.
The two sides also announced the launch of a structured dialogue on education cooperation, aimed at promoting skills development, curriculum design and mutual recognition of qualifications.
Further strengthening academic ties, Austria’s leading technical universities – Technische Universität Wien, Technische Universität Graz and Montanuniversität Leoben – will launch a “Focus India” initiative, including a dedicated portal to facilitate admissions for Indian students in engineering and technical programmes.
Mobility and youth engagement
The Working Holiday Programme between India and Austria has been operationalised, enabling greater youth mobility and cultural exchange between the two countries.
