Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Monday, 19 October 2025, met members of the Indian diaspora from North-East India in Auckland, New Zealand, during an ongoing official visit to the Oceania region. India's High Commissioner to New Zealand Muanpuii Saiawi and other officials were present at the gathering.

Diaspora Engagement in Auckland

Margherita hailed the Indian diaspora's contributions to New Zealand's multicultural fabric and their role in strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations. In a post on X, he wrote: 'Had a warm and heartfelt interaction with members of the Indian diaspora from North-East India in Auckland. It was a pleasure to connect with this vibrant community, whose cultural richness and contributions enrich New Zealand's multicultural fabric and strengthen the enduring bonds of friendship between India & New Zealand.'

He added that the interaction also reflected the community's appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public service and his commitment to addressing the concerns of the Indian diaspora globally.

Margherita also sought the blessings of Maa Durga during a transit stop in Auckland and interacted separately with members of the Bengali Indian diaspora.

Meeting with New Zealand's Minister of Police

A day earlier, on Sunday, Margherita met New Zealand's Minister of Police Mark Mitchell in Auckland, at a business event organised by the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC). The two sides discussed issues of mutual importance and ways to deepen bilateral ties.

Posting on X after the meeting, Margherita wrote: 'Happy to meet New Zealand Minister Hon. Mark Mitchell at a business event organised by the India New Zealand Business Council during my visit to Auckland. Glad to exchange views on issues of mutual importance and explore avenues to strengthen India-New Zealand ties.'

Modi's 5F Formula at Centre of Business Dialogue

During the INZBC business interaction, Margherita highlighted Prime Minister Modi's 5F Formula — Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign — a vision aimed at strengthening India's textile value chain and expanding global market opportunities. The session brought together leaders from the textile and fashion sectors to explore avenues for India-New Zealand collaboration.

Margherita explained the initiative on X: 'Participated in a business interaction organised by India New Zealand Business Council in Auckland, bringing together leaders from the textile and fashion sectors to explore opportunities for India-New Zealand collaboration. Highlighted Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi's 5F Formula: Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, and Fashion to Foreign, a vision to strengthen India's textile value chain and expand global market opportunities.'

Visit Context and What Comes Next

Margherita arrived in Auckland after concluding a visit to the Pacific island nation of Samoa, signalling the Indian government's broader diplomatic outreach across the Oceania and Pacific region. The back-to-back engagements — from diaspora meetings to bilateral business dialogues — reflect New Delhi's sustained effort to deepen ties with nations in this geographically significant arc. Further diplomatic outcomes from the visit are expected to be detailed upon Margherita's return to India.