Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community in New Zealand, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 40 years. The speech emphasized the strong bilateral relationship built on shared values and memories, with particular focus on the significant contributions of the Kiwi Indian community to New Zealand's economy and society.
The Prime Minister highlighted several areas of bilateral cooperation, including agriculture where India can learn from New Zealand's efficient ecosystem around agriculture, traceability systems, and the Zespri model that enables small farmers to build global brands. New Zealand's climate-smart precision farming technologies were also noted as valuable for India's agricultural sector.
In sports, the centenary of India-New Zealand sporting relations was acknowledged, with specific mention of potential collaborations in rugby through coaching programs and expertise sharing. The Prime Minister also visited a sports startup event in New Zealand and expressed confidence in achieving significant progress together in sports technology.
Space sector cooperation was highlighted as another key area, with New Zealand's space companies having worked with India on several occasions, including contributions to the Chandrayaan mission that landed on the Moon's south pole. The Trade Agreement between the two countries was presented as a mechanism to accelerate India's development journey and create new opportunities for businesses in both nations.
The speech drew parallels between Māori and Indian cultural values, specifically noting Manaakitanga (showing respect and caring) which aligns with India's "Atithi Devo Bhava" (guest is god) philosophy, and Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of nature) which mirrors India's environmental protection initiatives including Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and the Natural Farming Mission.
Prime Minister Modi detailed India's economic achievements, stating that India is the world's fastest-growing major economy, largest vaccine producer, leading mobile data consumption country, second-largest mobile phone manufacturer and telecommunications market, second-largest producer of wheat, largest producer of milk, second-largest producer of fish, third-largest automobile market, third-largest startup ecosystem, and soon to become third-largest producer of renewable energy with leading solar energy capacity.
The address also covered specific initiatives for the Sikh community, including resolving FCRA provisions affecting seva at Sri Harmandir Sahib, constructing a ropeway to Hemkund Sahib for elderly devotees, instituting Veer Bal Diwas on 26 December, and the relocation of sacred Jore Sahib to Patna Sahib.
The Prime Minister announced the sixth edition of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz program for diaspora children, which will be more technology-driven with events conducted through an app. He guaranteed that future Indian Prime Minister visits to New Zealand would not take another 40 years, emphasizing his commitment to strengthened bilateral relations.