Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shri Pawan Bansal Meets Goodwill Delegation of Austrian Parliament; Calls for Greater Synergy with Austria in Science and Tech

Introduction

The Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal today called for greater synergy between the scientific communities and research institutes of India and Austria. In a meeting with the visiting Parliamentary delegation of Austria, Shri Bansal said that increased interaction among the Parliamentarians as well as the people of the two countries would open up new opportunities for a mutually beneficial engagement. The ten-Member Austrian delegation was led by H.E. Mrs. Barbara Prammer, President of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pawan Bansal recalled the warm relations between the two democracies, and made a special mention of Austria’s support to the candidature of India for the non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council. Informing the visiting Parliamentarians that Indian Parliament too is bicameral like Austria, Shri Bansal briefed the delegation reading the role of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in the functioning of the Parliament of India.

While expressing satisfaction at the fact that the milestone of one billion Euro of bilateral trade has been achieved two years ahead of target, the two leaders took note of the huge potential for further increasing the bilateral trade. While stating that India stands to benefit from the high-end technical knowhow possessed by Austria, Shri Bansal impressed upon the delegation to encourage Austrian companies to set up base in India to produce for the Indian market as well as to use India as a base for exports.

Source

Press Information Bureau, February 7, 2011