New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon Eager to Connect with India
Click to start listening
Synopsis
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to embark on his first visit to India, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations across various sectors with a high-profile delegation, including the Indian diaspora.
Key Takeaways
- Luxon's historic visit marks a renewed focus on India.
- A high-level delegation will accompany the Prime Minister.
- Several MoUs are expected to be signed in key sectors.
- New Zealand is eager to share agricultural technologies.
- The visit emphasizes a holistic relationship beyond trade.
Auckland, March 14 (NationPress) The India-New Zealand bilateral relationship is poised for significant enhancement across various sectors, and the vital people-to-people connections are set to receive a major uplift as New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon departs from Wellington to New Delhi for his inaugural visit to India following his assumption of office this weekend.
Luxon is scheduled for an official visit to India from March 16-20 and will be joined by a high-profile delegation including ministers, senior officials, business leaders, media representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora residing in New Zealand.
"This marks the first visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister to India in quite some time. The new Prime Minister had expressed his intent to prioritize India even before taking office during the election campaign and committed to visiting the country once in power. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon possesses a keen desire, which is well-founded, to engage with India, recognized as a global powerhouse in both economic and geopolitical arenas. Therefore, the current Prime Minister is enthusiastic about engaging with India on multiple fronts, not limited to trade, but encompassing all areas," remarked Bhav Dhillon, former Honorary Consul of India in Auckland and a prominent figure within the Indian diaspora, in an interview with IANS.
Dhillon, who will accompany the New Zealand PM along with other members of the Indian diaspora, emphasized that this visit is anticipated to be a historic occasion, leading to a significant meeting between the two leaders and yielding some "landmark outcomes."
"India has established its presence on the global stage and cannot be overlooked. New Zealand is engaging with India, acknowledging its rightful respect and attention at this juncture. Several MoUs are expected to be signed covering education, sports, defense, and various other sectors. A vessel from the New Zealand Navy will also dock in Mumbai during our visit," Dhillon stated.
New Zealand, a global leader in dairy farming, is eager to share advancements in its agricultural and horticultural technologies with India.
India has a substantial demand for advanced agricultural and horticultural technology. New Zealand is prepared to collaborate with India to assist its large agrarian population, aligning with Prime Minister Modi's vision of uplifting farmers in the country. New Zealand possesses the necessary technologies, and a broad-based partnership between the two nations would yield significant benefits," Dhillon, a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, noted.
The current New Zealand government, he stressed, is not just focused on exporting goods to the Indian market but aims to engage with New Delhi across various domains.
"New Zealand is interested in fostering a comprehensive relationship with India and establishing meaningful, long-term collaborative ties in all areas beyond trade. They seek strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific, the signing of defense agreements, maintaining sports relations, and extensive efforts in education, fintech, and space technology sectors," he added.
