New Zealand says, India one of most important partners

Auckland: New Zealand has said that India is one of its most important partners. The Foreign Minister of the Island nation, Nanaia Mahuta said this while addressing a joint presser with External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar in Auckland yesterday, October 7.

Recalling her meetings with Dr. S Jaishankar at various locations, she said she was delighted to host Dr. Jaishankar.

While addressing the presser, Dr. Jaishankar informed that he urged a fairer and more sympathetic treatment for those students, who had to leave New Zealand during the Covid period and didn't have the opportunity to get their visas renewed.

He also talked about those students who are waiting to come to New Zealand to pursue their studies and asked for expediting the visa process for them. Dr. Jaishankar said, he talked about probable skills demand in New Zealand which could be met out of India. 

He said, there was also a discussion on some pressing issues like the



security situation in the Indo-Pacific and the consequences of the Ukraine conflict. They also talked about climate action and climate justice.

 

Later, Dr. Jaishankar also called on New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Auckland and conveyed the personal greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a tweet, Dr. Jaishankar said, they discussed deepening the bilateral cooperation through focused engagement in areas of strength. He said, they also agreed on encouraging greater business collaboration and people-to-people exchanges.

The External Affairs Minister also participated in the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Awards 2022. he also launched the book "Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery" in Auckland, in the presence of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

This is Dr. Jaishankar's first visit to New Zealand. On Wednesday, he met with the first Indian-origin Minister of New Zealand Priyanca Radhakrishnan.