India and Austria explore collaboration in migration and skill development

During the seventh round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), Austria and India made significant progress in looking into possible cooperation in the fields of migration and skill development.

The meeting was held on May 30, 2023, in New Delhi. Co-chaired by Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, India, Sanjay Verma and Political Director, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Austria, Gregor Koessler, the FOC provided an opportunity for both countries to review bilateral engagements and exchange views on a wide range of regional and global issues.

According to information released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday (May 30, 2023), the discussions during the meeting covered a wide range of topics of mutual interest, including the developments in their respective neighborhoods, the European Union (EU), the ongoing Ukraine conflict, India's upcoming Presidency of the G20, cooperation in multilateral fora, and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms.

One of the focal points of the discussions was the exploration of collaboration in the fields of migration and skill development.

Both India and Austria recognized the importance of cooperation in managing migration and mobility challenges effectively. The recent signing of the Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement (CMMPA) between the two countries further underscores their commitment to working together in this area.

Furthermore, the discussions focused on enhancing educational linkages between India and Austria. In addition to migration, skill development, and education, discussions also touched upon sectors such as trade and investments, defense cooperation, consular services, and cultural linkages.