Bhav Dhillon: 'PM Luxon's Visit to India to Boost Bilateral Ties'

Synopsis

During a five-day visit to India, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon aims to enhance bilateral cooperation across sectors, including trade, agriculture, and education. Bhav Dhillon, a prominent figure in the Indian diaspora, highlights the potential for collaboration and the significance of Luxon's participation in the Raisina Dialogue.

Key Takeaways

PM Luxon's visit marks the first in nine years.
Focus on trade discussions and collaboration.
Potential in agricultural technology partnerships.
Strength of the Indian community in New Zealand.
Significance of the Raisina Dialogue.

New Delhi, March 17 (NationPress) Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand touched down in India on Sunday for a five-day engagement.

During this period, Bhav Dhillon, the former Honorary Consul of India in Auckland and a prominent representative of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, shared his thoughts exclusively with IANS, demonstrating optimism for partnerships across various sectors.

Reflecting on PM Luxon's journey, Dhillon remarked, "This visit is significant as it marks the first in nine years. The Prime Minister of New Zealand has arrived in India upon the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We foresee numerous avenues for fruitful collaboration, particularly the commencement of trade discussions between our nations."

On agricultural collaborations, Dhillon pointed out, "India is predominantly an agrarian society, with a substantial segment of its populace involved in agriculture. Concurrently, New Zealand boasts a robust agricultural industry. From New Zealand's perspective, there are ample opportunities in agricultural technology—including vegetable cultivation, horticulture, apple production, and dairy technology. These fields hold considerable potential for collaboration between India and New Zealand."

Addressing the role of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, Dhillon noted, "The Indian community in New Zealand is quite significant, comprising around 300,000 individuals, which represents nearly six percent of the overall population. In Auckland, the largest city, Indians account for approximately 11 percent of its inhabitants, along with a substantial student demographic. This visit is anticipated to foster enhanced cooperation in the education sector, potentially increasing the influx of students to New Zealand in the upcoming years."

When asked about tourism in New Zealand, he stated, "New Zealand is undeniably one of the most stunning countries globally. As India's economy flourishes and its citizens become increasingly affluent, a growing number are keen to explore New Zealand, ensuring a consistent rise in tourism. Furthermore, cricket serves as a unifying sport, maintaining strong sporting ties between India and New Zealand."

Dhillon also emphasized, "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is the chief guest at the Raisina Dialogue. This is known to be India’s leading geopolitical conference. New Zealand occupies a distinctive position in the South Pacific, while India has pivotal interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Thus, PM Luxon's participation at the Raisina Dialogue accentuates the significance of this visit."