Austria is home to about 31000 Indian diaspora. The Indian diaspora mainly consists of professionals working in the health-care and other sectors and in multilateral UN bodies. There are around 500 Indian students pursuing higher education in Austria.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community in Vienna at an event organized in his honour by the Diaspora. On arrival, Prime Minister was greeted with special warmth and affection by the community. The Austrian Federal Minister of Labour and Economy H.E. Mr. Martin Kocher also attended the community gathering. The event drew participation of Indian Diaspora from across the country.
Prime Minister talked about the transformative progress achieved by the country in the last 10 years and expressed confidence that India will become the third largest economy in the near future, on its way to becoming a developed country – Viksit Bharat – by 2047. He talked about how Austrian expertise in green growth and innovation could partner India, leveraging its high growth trajectory and globally reputed start-up ecosystem. He also dwelt on India being a “Vishwabandhu” and contributing to global progress and well-being. He urged the community to continue nurturing their cultural and emotional bonds with the motherland, even as they prosper in their new homeland. In this context, he mentioned the deep intellectual interest in Indian philosophy, languages and thought that has existed in Austria for centuries.