Bansal calls for greater synergy with Austria in science and technology

NEW DELHI - Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Monday called for greater synergy between the scientific communities and research institutes of India and Austria.

Bansal, who holds the additional charge of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, told the visiting Parliamentary delegation of Austria 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 President of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament, Barbara Prammer, led the ten-member Austrian delegation.

Speaking on the occasion, 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, 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.

Stating that India stands to benefit from the high-end technical knowhow possessed by Austria, 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. (ANI)