Auckland [New Zealand], July 11 (ANI): Highlighting the practical implementation of the newly established Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India and New Zealand are expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including a major digital initiative to connect India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with New Zealand’s fast-payment system.
Addressing a gala lunch hosted in his honor by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, Modi said the two countries are transforming their respective strengths into practical cooperation across digital technology, agriculture, education, and traditional medicine.
“Friends, to make our Strategic Partnership meaningful, we are turning the strengths of both countries into practical cooperation. In the field of fintech, we are moving ahead with connecting India’s UPI and New Zealand’s payment system. In agriculture, dairy, and food processing, we have developed a strong framework for cooperation, which will benefit our farmers and cattle rearers,” the prime minister said.
Emphasizing educational and cultural cooperation, Modi invited New Zealand’s leading universities to expand their presence in India under the country’s liberalized policies.
“The Cultural Cooperation MoU signed today will boost exchanges in the arts, culture, heritage, and creative industries of both countries. New Zealand has been an important destination for Indian students. We invite New Zealand universities to open campuses in India,” Modi said.
He also announced that both countries would work to promote traditional systems of medicine as part of their healthcare cooperation.
Praising the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, Modi described the community as the foundation of the strong bilateral relationship.
“Friends, the strongest strength of our relations is our people-to-people ties. People of the Indian community, through their hard work and talent, have carved out a special place for themselves in New Zealand. I thank Prime Minister Luxon, the New Zealand government, and the people of New Zealand for their care,” he said.
The leaders’ remarks were reflected in the India-New Zealand Joint Statement, which recognized the Indian community as an “integral and valued part of New Zealand’s diverse society” and a “living bridge” contributing to the economy, culture, and public life of both countries.
Beyond trade and digital cooperation, the two leaders also announced plans to strengthen sports ties, welcoming the “100 Years of Unity Through Sport in 2026” initiative and a comprehensive “India-New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport.” The plan establishes a framework for collaboration in high-performance sports, coaching, and sports science.
The two countries also strengthened cultural and historical cooperation through a new partnership linking India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal with the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
The wide-ranging initiatives form a central part of the newly adopted “Roadmap to 2030,” signed during Modi’s historic two-day visit, the first by an Indian prime minister to New Zealand in 40 years. (ANI)
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