India emerging as key geopolitical player, Indo-Pacific partner under PM Modi, says Christopher Luxon
Auckland, July 11
Highlighting India's growing global stature, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Saturday said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the country has risen as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, a major geopolitical force and a key Indo-Pacific partner.
Addressing a gala lunch hosted for PM Modi in Auckland, Luxon said, "Everyone here understands what it takes to build a strong partnership, and they take trust. It takes commitment, reliability, follow-through and creating value together. And this holds equally true, whether it be in business or diplomacy,"
"And under your leadership, Prime Minister Modi, India has become one of the world's fastest and largest-growing economies. It is a major geopolitical player and an Indo-Pacific partner, known for its scale, its innovation, its ambition, and its strategic influence," he added.
Luxon said that New Zealand is an "open, trusted, innovative, and globally connected place". He said that the country offers expertise in food production, education, technology, tourism, sustainability, and has a "strong record of practical cooperation and trusted partnership".
"Together, we can support job creation, we can expand trade, attract investment, and create new opportunities in both India and New Zealand, all with the goal of increasing the prosperity and security for our peoples," he added.
As India and New Zealand agreed to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership, Luxon described the move as a "significant step forward", saying it would provide a stronger foundation for expanding cooperation across a wide range of sectors amid an increasingly uncertain global environment.
"In a world that is increasingly volatile and uncertain, strong partnerships are more important than ever before. And this provides a stronger platform for practical cooperation in prosperity, security, and people-to-people connections," said the New Zealand PM.
"It will deepen our links in trade, investment, education, technology, sport and tourism. And it will also enable closer cooperation on defence, maritime security and law enforcement. But most importantly, it means building a relationship that benefits both countries and delivers real results," he noted.
Highlighting the pivotal role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral ties, Luxon said that Indian New Zealanders have been, and continue to be, critical to New Zealand's success and remain at the heart of the relationship between the two countries.
"Their impact is felt throughout New Zealand in business, education, health, technology, culture, sport and community life. And through their energy, through their enterprise, and through their strong family connections, Kiwi Indians help New Zealand understand India and India understand New Zealand. And this is evident every day in the families, students, visitors, entrepreneurs and athletes who bring our countries closer together. This is the foundation for a relationship that will last," he stressed.
Thanking PM Modi for his leadership and personal commitment in advancing the bilateral relationship, Luxon said, "And today we can confidently say that New Zealand and India are a winning partnership. And I look forward to working with you, my friend, and with everyone here in this room to further strengthen this partnership in the years ahead."
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is great diplomacy! Luxon seems genuinely impressed. But let's not forget that while India's stature has risen, we still have massive challenges like poverty, healthcare, and education at home. Global partnerships are important, but domestic progress should be the priority. Still, proud moment for India! 😊
As an Australian, I've watched India's rise with interest. This partnership makes sense - both countries have strong democratic values and complementary economies. The Indian diaspora in NZ and Australia is a huge asset. Hope this leads to more people-to-people connections and student exchanges!
Loved how Luxon highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora! 🇮🇳🇳🇿 My cousin recently moved to Wellington on a tech visa, and she says the community there is amazing. This strategic partnership will definitely strengthen ties. But I do wish we could also talk about improving visa processes for students and professionals - it's still quite tricky.
All this talk of 'strategic partnership' is nice, but what about the dairy trade? New Zealand's dairy exports have hurt Indian farmers for decades. If we're going to be partners, it should be fair and balanced, not just about what NZ wants. Let's see some concrete agreements on agriculture and market access too.
Great to see this partnership! I'm a Kiwi who's lived in India for 5 years. The potential is enormous - India's tech talent plus NZ's innovation could be a powerful combo. Cricket diplomacy is real too! 🏏 Hope this leads to more cultural exchanges and maybe even a direct flight between Delhi and Auckland someday.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.