Indian Minister Jaishankar plans first New Zealand visit

Indian Minister, Dr S Jaishankar is to visit New Zealand and Australia from October 05-11, 2022. This will be the Minister's first visit to New Zealand.

In Auckland, Jaishankar will participate in an event on October 6 along with Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, to felicitate members of the Indian community in New Zealand for their exceptional achievements and contributions, read a press release of the Ministry of External Affairs. Both leaders will release India@75 postage stamps to commemorate and showcase Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsavin New Zealand.

Jaishankar will also launch the book 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery'.

Also, a book showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special bond with the Sikh community 'Heartfelt - The Legacy of Faith' will be released.

He will have a bilateral meeting with Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand in Auckland to discuss and review the entire gamut of our relations, added the release.

Jaishankar will also interact with several Ministers, including Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector, Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, and Youth, who is the first person of Indian origin to become a Minister in New Zealand, Parliamentarians, members of the business community as well as Indian diaspora, including Indian students.

In Wellington, he will inaugurate the newly constructed building of the High Commission of India.

The leadership of both countries have shown significant interest in raising all aspects of the relationship to the next level. This is reflected in a series of high-level bilateral visits and meetings.

PM Ardern and PM Modi had a bilateral meeting in New York on the sidelines of UNGA on September 25, 2019, during which they discussed steps to intensify political, economic, defence, security and people-to-people relations.

(ANI)