Auckland, July 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large gathering of the Indian community in Auckland, describing the Indian diaspora as a vital bridge between India and New Zealand while outlining a new vision for stronger bilateral cooperation. Speaking during his official visit to New Zealand, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing partnership between the two democracies and emphasised that the relationship is entering a new era of strategic, economic and cultural collaboration.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from members of the Indian diaspora, community leaders, students, business representatives and professionals from across New Zealand.
Indian Diaspora Praised as a Bridge Between Two Nations
Prime Minister Modi lauded the contribution of the Indian-origin community in strengthening relations between India and New Zealand over several decades.
He said the Indian diaspora has become an important force in promoting:
- Cultural understanding
- Business partnerships
- Educational cooperation
- Tourism
- Innovation
- People-to-people connections
The Prime Minister noted that the success of the Indian community reflects India’s growing global presence and strengthens bilateral goodwill.
A New Chapter in India–New Zealand Relations
During his address, Prime Minister Modi said India and New Zealand are committed to taking their partnership to unprecedented heights.
He referred to the recently announced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Roadmap to 2030, which aim to expand cooperation across multiple sectors.
According to the Prime Minister, both countries are working together in areas including:
- Trade and investment
- Defence and maritime security
- Digital innovation
- Renewable energy
- Agriculture
- Education
- Critical minerals
- Science and technology
He emphasised that both nations share democratic values and a common vision for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
Growing Economic Cooperation
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the expanding economic relationship between the two countries and encouraged businesses to explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration.
He said India continues to emerge as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and offers significant opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure, startups, fintech and digital services.
The Prime Minister invited New Zealand businesses to participate more actively in India’s growth journey while encouraging Indian companies to strengthen their presence in New Zealand.
Digital India Highlighted
The Prime Minister also spoke about India’s achievements in digital transformation, including the rapid expansion of digital public infrastructure.
He noted that initiatives such as digital governance, digital payments, innovation and technology-driven public services have transformed the lives of millions of citizens.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that technology cooperation between India and New Zealand will continue expanding under the new strategic framework.
Strong Cultural Connections
A major theme of the address was the centuries-old cultural relationship between India and New Zealand through migration, education and community engagement.
Prime Minister Modi praised the Indian community for preserving India’s rich cultural traditions while contributing positively to New Zealand’s multicultural society.
He also appreciated New Zealand’s inclusive approach towards diverse communities and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening educational and cultural exchanges.
Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to working closely with New Zealand in promoting a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
He stressed the importance of cooperation in maritime security, disaster resilience, sustainable development and regional stability while highlighting the growing strategic convergence between the two countries.
Officials believe the strengthened partnership will create new opportunities across political, economic and security sectors.
Looking Ahead
Prime Minister Modi concluded his address by expressing confidence that India–New Zealand relations will continue to deepen under the newly announced Strategic Partnership and Roadmap to 2030.
He encouraged members of the Indian diaspora to remain active participants in strengthening bilateral ties while serving as ambassadors of India’s culture, innovation and democratic values.
The community event marked one of the highlights of the Prime Minister’s visit and underscored the increasingly important role of the Indian diaspora in shaping the future of India–New Zealand relations.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India
Original Report:
https://www.mea.gov.in/
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/
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