Synopsis
During his official visit to India, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed admiration for the Indian community's contributions to New Zealand's growth. This historic visit marks a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.Key Takeaways
- Luxon acknowledged the significant role of the Indian community in New Zealand.
- Largest delegation ever accompanying a New Zealand Prime Minister abroad.
- Focus on enhancing bilateral relations between India and New Zealand.
- Indian diaspora plays a vital role in cultural and economic cooperation.
- Luxon to attend the Raisina Dialogue 2025 as chief guest.
New Delhi, March 17 (NationPress) New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commended the Indian community in his nation on Monday for its vital contribution to the advancement of the island country.
His comments were made during his five-day official trip to India, which is notable as the first visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister in nine years since the tenure of former PM John Key.
Luxon arrived in Delhi on Sunday and received a warm welcome from Union Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel. Members of the Indian diaspora residing in New Zealand also accompanied him upon his arrival.
Expressing his respect for the community, he shared on X, "The Indian community ranks as the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand. India is our primary source of skilled migrants and our second-largest provider of international students."
He further recognized their contributions, stating, "Indian-Kiwis make a tremendous impact in New Zealand, and I take pride in what this community accomplishes for our nation."
Emphasizing the significance of this trip, Luxon noted that he had brought a high-level delegation of community and business leaders, labeling it the largest group ever to accompany a New Zealand Prime Minister abroad.
Among the notable individuals in his entourage are former Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, former National Party MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, business leader Rajna Patel, Sudima Hotels CEO Sudesh Jhunjhunwala, chair of the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) Bharat Chawla, president of the Waitakere Indian Association Sunil Kaushal, and president of the Wellington Indian Association Manisha Morar.
The involvement of these community leaders underscores the significance of fostering connections among individuals, promoting deeper cultural exchange, and enhancing collaboration between the two nations.
Luxon is also set to participate in the inaugural session of the 10th Raisina Dialogue 2025 in Delhi on March 17 as the chief guest, where he will deliver the keynote address alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After this, he will proceed to Mumbai on March 19-20 for discussions with Indian business leaders and representatives from various sectors. His visit will conclude on March 20, when he will depart for Wellington.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described this visit as a confirmation of the long-standing and enduring relationships between India and New Zealand.
The statement emphasized the commitment of both nations to bolster bilateral relations across various sectors and further deepen people-to-people connections.
In February, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan met with Luxon to explore new opportunities for collaboration while reaffirming India's commitment to enhancing the partnership.
Over the past year, Luxon and PM Modi have interacted on several occasions, including a meeting at the East Asia Summit in Laos in October 2024 and a phone call in July 2024.
India and New Zealand enjoy historically close ties, driven by shared interests in trade, education, culture, research, and innovation. Despite the geographical distance, both nations have forged a robust partnership, with the Indian diaspora in New Zealand playing a pivotal role in nurturing cultural and economic collaboration.
