Jaishanker visits New Zealand; counterpart sees chance to boost ties

Wellington: New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Thursday that her Indian counterpart's visit to her country provides the opportunity to boost the relationship between New Zealand and India. The visit would enhance ties in areas like people-to-people exchanges and climate action, Mahuta said, reports IANS.

Xinhua news agency reported that Mahuta and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

"We discussed opportunities for expanding the relationship and cooperating on new areas, such as climate change and sustainable agriculture. We aspire to develop opportunities in the economic, cultural, technology and services sectors and to strengthen people-to-people links," Mahuta said.

PTI reported that Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting, "Warm and productive talks with New Zealand Foreign Minister @NanaiaMahuta this afternoon. Two societies, respectful of tradition and culture, are seeking to forge a more contemporary relationship."

He said, "Appreciated the exchange of views on (issues of) international concerns such as the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine conflict. Value our working together in multilateral forums including the UN and Commonwealth."

In a joint press interaction with Mahuta, he said, "I see this, not just as a visit, but really an endeavour by two countries very respectful of each other's traditions and culture, very conscious of their diverse nature, to forge a more contemporary relationship, and a more contemporary one."

"I think we do recognise today that countries like India and New Zealand have a particular responsibility in forging a post-colonial order, which is fairer, which is more equitable, and which will provide the prosperity and stability to large parts of the world with which we are historically linked," he said

2022 marks the 70th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties between India and New Zealand.