On Tuesday, the Congress party underscored the significant contributions of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to the establishment of a sovereign and neutral Austria in the early 1950s. This statement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Austria, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over 40 years.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, emphasized the historical importance of Nehru’s diplomacy in Austria’s independence. He remarked, “The Republic of Austria was fully established on October 26, 1955, celebrated as its National Day, and one person who was critical to this becoming a reality was none other than the man Mr. Modi loves to hate and defame.”
Ramesh referred to Dr. Hans Köchler, a renowned Austrian academic, who documented Nehru’s pivotal role in Austria’s emergence as a sovereign state after a decade of occupation by World War II powers. Köchler’s writings highlight Nehru’s influence during a critical period in Austrian history.
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Ramesh also quoted Dr. Bruno Kreisky, the former Chancellor of Austria, who in 1989, paid tribute to Nehru’s impact on global history. Kreisky stated, “When the history of this century is written, and that of the men who have put their stamp on it, one of the greatest and finest chapters will be the story of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It will be a part of India’s most modern history… Very early Nehru had become one of my instructors.”
In his post on X, Ramesh addressed those he described as suffering from “Nehruphobia,” including Prime Minister Modi and the current External Affairs Minister. He suggested that recalling Nehru’s contributions would benefit those who, in his view, have been critical of Nehru’s legacy.
Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Austria follows his engagements in Russia on July 9. This visit marks a significant diplomatic event, as it is the first time an Indian Prime Minister will visit Austria in over four decades. The Congress party’s statements are seen as an effort to highlight historical context and draw attention to Nehru’s contributions to global diplomacy.
As the diplomatic visit approaches, the Congress’s emphasis on Nehru’s legacy aims to remind the current leadership of the historical foundations of India’s foreign relations and the role played by its first Prime Minister in shaping them. The narrative surrounding Nehru’s influence in Austria’s independence serves as a poignant reminder of India’s long-standing commitment to global peace and sovereignty.