New Delhi, May 30 (Agency) India and Austria held the Seventh Round of Foreign Office Consultations here today during which they discussed the Ukraine conflict, India’s Presidency of G20, as well as enhancing bilateral ties in trade and investments, defence, consular and migration among other things. The MEA spokesperson in a tweet said: “7th India-Austria FOC held in New Delhi, led by Secy (West) @SanjayVermalFS & Political Director @MFA_Austria @koessler_g. “Talks covered areas of bilateral cooperation including trade, consular, skilling, migration, culture and people to people contacts. Both sides also discussed regional and multilateral issues including UNSC reforms, Ukraine and India’s G20 presidency.”
The talks were co-chaired by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Gregor Koessler, Political Director, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Austria. The FOC provided an opportunity for reviewing bilateral engagements and exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including developments in our respective neighbourhoods, EU, Ukraine conflict, India’s Presidency of G20, cooperation in multilateral fora, and UNSC reforms. Both sides also discussed furthering relations in sectors such as trade and investments, defence, consular, migration, skill development, education and cultural linkages, a statement said. This interaction follows shortly after the signing of Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Agreement (CMMPA) between the two countries, it added.