PM Modi in Auckland: India and New Zealand Pledge Closer Ties in Space, Trade, and Sports
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the final day of his two-day visit to New Zealand, addressed the Indian community in Auckland and called for deeper cooperation in technology, trade, space, and sports. His visit, the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years, follows the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and the adoption of a Roadmap to 2030.
Modi recalled India's successful Chandrayaan-3 Moon mission and acknowledged New Zealand's contribution to the achievement. "When India's Chandrayaan landed on the Moon's south pole, all of New Zealand was rejoicing... New Zealand's technology also contributed to this success," he said, adding that a New Zealand space company has collaborated with India on several occasions.
The prime minister also pitched greater sporting ties, particularly in rugby. "India wants to learn from New Zealand in rugby... For this, we need coaches and experts. New Zealand can help us significantly in this regard," he said, referring to a recent coaching programme involving New Zealand Rugby and Rugby India in Bhubaneswar.
Marking 100 years of sporting relations between the two countries, Modi noted the Indian hockey team's tour of New Zealand a century ago and praised Major Dhyan Chand's lasting legacy. "This is the era of collaboration. New Zealand and India can achieve great things through collaboration in sports as well," he added.
Modi also celebrated the achievements of the Indian community in New Zealand, citing Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar, former Governor-General Anand Satyanand, and cricketers Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, and Ajaz Patel. He pointed to place names such as Bombay Hills, Calcutta Street, Delhi Crescent, and Amritsar Street as symbols of long-standing ties.
Earlier, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Modi's visit as a "historic milestone." "Tonight, New Zealand makes history. For the first time in 40 years, an Indian prime minister stands on New Zealand soil... Prime Minister Modi, let me say on behalf of 5 million New Zealanders, you are worth the wait," Luxon said. He praised India's transformation under Modi's leadership, calling its economic progress "one of the greatest advances in human dignity the world has ever seen."
