Date 20 June 1953… A person met Nehru… Called Khrushchev and Austria became the star of the world map.

You must have read a lot of stories about the Second World War. During this period you must have got to read and hear a lot about Vienna. This Vienna is none other than the capital of Austria, a very beautiful country in Europe. PM Narendra Modi returned home on Wednesday after completing his two-day visit here. PM Modi was given a grand welcome during his visit and to show Austria’s love for India, an orchestra there also performed Vande Mataram.

Well, we are not talking about PM Modi’s visit. Rather, they are weaving the story of the beautiful relationship between Austria and India. Before PM Modi, former PM late Indira Gandhi had visited Austria in 1983. Actually, the relationship between India and Austria begins in the 1950s. The world was busy healing the wounds of World War. All the third world countries including India were desperate to breathe free air. But, something different was going on in Austria. The Allied forces that won the World War, i.e. America, Britain, France and Russia, had captured Austria. His forces were stationed in Austria.

But, on the other hand, soon after the end of the World War, the world again divided into two groups. The leadership of one came into the hands of the Soviet Union and the leadership of the other came into the hands of America. The era of cold war started. In such a situation, Austria began to see its existence in danger. The danger of becoming a new battle ground was looming large. On one side, Soviet Russia and on the other, American, French and British forces started taking charge. But, this beautiful country wanted to breathe free air. He did not want to become a henchman of any power. Its then leadership had seen the world being destroyed. He did not want such destruction in his country. But, he did not have the strength. He had his own little world. There was no one in the world outside him to listen to him.

cold war era
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehmer said all these things while talking to the media after talks with PM Narendra Modi. He told that till the end of the World War, there was a temporary government in Austria and after the war, the Allied forces became dominant there. In such a situation our situation became very bad. The era of Cold War started and in such a situation it was almost impossible to reach any deal with the Soviet Union.

Then Austria’s then Foreign Minister Karl Gruber looked at Indian PM Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He contacted Pandit Nehru and met him in Switzerland on 20 June 1953. Through him, a message was sent to the then Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev that Austria wanted to exist as a neutral nation. But, the biggest challenge for him was who would guarantee him this. Nehru then conveyed this message to the Khrushchev administration through KPS Menon, who was India’s ambassador to Moscow. Here Austria assured India that it will not be a part of any faction in future also, that is, it is in favor of permanent neutrality.

After this, due to the efforts of Nehru, an agreement was reached between the Soviet Union, America, Britain and France in 1955. Austria emerged as a neutral independent country. Its neutrality continues even today. This effort of Nehru was appreciated all over the world. It was mentioned in all the diplomatic messages at that time. This country is in Europe but it is not a member of NATO. In the current political scenario, amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, the world has great expectations from this country. If there is a possibility of any talks between Russia and Ukraine, then Austria’s name will come at the top. Because in the last seven decades this country has maintained its policy of neutrality.

Tags: european union, india russia, Jawaharlal Nehru