Namaste!
Ki Ora New Zealand!

In India, we often hear the phrase, 20 years later. But today, after forty years, an Indian Prime Minister has set foot on the soil of New Zealand. It is my privilege to be here. I bring with me the good wishes of 1.4 billion Indians for all the people of New Zealand, and for each one of you.

Friends,

This may be my first visit to New Zealand as Prime Minister. But 25 to 30 years ago, when I was not part of any government and was not known in public life, I had the opportunity to visit New Zealand. During that visit, someone gifted me three things, which I took back with me to India: this muffler, a cap, and a pair of gloves, because it was winter.

And one of those gifts is with me even today. The muffler you see here was gifted to me by a friend in New Zealand 25 to 30 years ago. I have used it many times over the years, and I have preserved it with great care to this day, just as I cherish your affection.

When this visit to New Zealand was finalised, I made a point of bringing it with me, especially because I was told the weather would be quite cold.

Friends,

The relationship between India and New Zealand is built on shared memories, friendship, values and a shared commitment. There is a beautiful New Zealand tradition that captures the essence of this relationship. For centuries, one word has brought people together here - waka. A waka is not merely a canoe; it is a symbol of our shared journey. And today, that very waka of India-New Zealand relations is ready to embark on a new voyage.

Before us lies an open ocean full of opportunities. The winds are with us. The vast waves of the sea are with us. The blue sky of our collective resolve is with us. There is much to achieve, and I know that we will succeed.

Friends,

I am fully confident that this journey will be a success. Do you know why? Not because of Modi, but because all of you are its true navigators. From Auckland to Wellington, and from Christchurch to Queenstown, the Indian community spread across every corner of New Zealand is a sailor on this shared journey.

Friends,

Before I proceed, I would like to acknowledge my friend, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, my colleagues from the Government of New Zealand, and the members of the Labour Party present here.

Their presence reflects the strong bipartisan support that India-New Zealand relations enjoy. It also speaks to the remarkable achievements and significant contributions of the Kiwi Indian community. Your presence at this celebration of the Kiwi Indian community has made the occasion even more vibrant.

I am deeply grateful for the warmth, affection and enthusiasm with which you have welcomed all of us.

Your Excellency, you are also a great favourite among the Kiwi Indian community. The dance that you and Chris Hipkins performed to Dama Dam Mast Kalandar during India's Independence Day celebrations went viral. Those dance moves have left a lasting impression on the hearts of Kiwi Indians.

Friends,

New Zealand is truly a remarkable country. It is a land of peace, prosperity, nature and culture. But its greatest strength lies in its people. The people of New Zealand have shown that when a nation moves forward with passion and purpose, it inspires the world.

The Kiwi Indian community here has also been embraced with great warmth and affection by the people of New Zealand, who have made you an integral part of their team. They have placed their trust in your talent and your vision. And today, whether it is New Zealand's economy or its society, Kiwi Indians are adding new colours to every sphere.

New Zealand is a place where Nikhil Ravishankar can become the CEO of Air New Zealand, where Anand Satyanand can serve as Governor-General, and where talents such as Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi and Ajaz Patel can find opportunities in the national cricket team.

New Zealand is also a place where even its roads pay tribute to Indian places. There is Khandallah, Bombay Hills and Coromandel.

There are streets named Calcutta Street, Delhi Crescent and Amritsar Street, among many others. Living here, you have truly become Kiwi yourselves. In fact, I am told that no matter what topic a conversation begins with, before long it inevitably turns to the weather!

Friends,

Whenever I have met New Zealand's leaders, they have spoken very highly of all of you. The praise is for you, but it fills me with pride.

Friends,

As you all know, India is a civilisation that is thousands of years old, and today it is embracing modernity while preserving its ancient heritage. In every era and at every stage of its history, India has transformed itself. The reason for this is our eagerness to learn.

India learns from everyone. For us, what matters is not the size of another country's population, but its commitment to public welfare. That is why we have learned much from New Zealand, and we continue to do so.

New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote. Today, we see women making significant contributions across New Zealand's society. India, too, is opening new avenues of opportunity for women under the vision of women-led development.

Friends,

New Zealand has demonstrated how a strong rural economy can transform a nation's destiny. One of New Zealand's greatest strengths is the efficient ecosystem it has built around agriculture. Whether it is traceability, food safety or compliance systems, these offer valuable inspiration. They hold important lessons for a large agricultural nation like India, with its millions of small farmers.

Through the Zespri model, New Zealand has shown that even small farmers can build globally recognised brands. We also have much to learn from New Zealand's climate-smart precision farming technologies.

Friends,

Here, Manuka honey is often referred to as "liquid gold". Just as honey in New Zealand is associated not only with tradition and taste but also with health and wellness, honey also holds great significance in India's Ayurvedic tradition. You will be pleased to know that India, too, is implementing a national mission to promote beekeeping. As a result, honey production in the country has increased significantly.

These days, the honey that comes from the heights of the Himalayas is becoming not just gold, but almost like diamond. I believe we can also learn a great deal from New Zealand about further enhancing honey production.

Friends,

This year marks the centenary of India–New Zealand sporting relations. A hundred years ago, our hockey team visited New Zealand to play. During that tour, Major Dhyan Chand’s outstanding performance was widely appreciated. His hockey skills won the hearts of the people of New Zealand as well.

Friends,

In the language of content creators, I would say that this is the era of collaborations. New Zealand and India can create remarkable collaborations in sports as well. Rugby is one such example.


I have just been informed that the All Blacks have secured a remarkable victory in a rugby match a short while ago. India would like to learn from New Zealand in the field of rugby. For India to progress in rugby, we need coaches and experts, and New Zealand can provide valuable support in this area. The recent coaching programme between New Zealand Rugby and Rugby India in Bhubaneswar is a good beginning in this direction.

Friends,

Before coming here today, I visited a sports startup event in New Zealand. The innovations and new ideas emerging in sports technology truly impressed me. I am confident that we can achieve a great deal together in the field of sports technology.

The future of India and New Zealand is interconnected. One example of this is our cooperation in the space sector. When India’s Chandrayaan landed on the Moon’s south pole, the whole of New Zealand celebrated the moment with great enthusiasm. It was a moment of pride for all of us.

Now, let me share another matter of pride with you. New Zealand’s technology has also contributed to this success and gives you another reason to feel proud. New Zealand’s space companies have worked with us on several occasions. We are working to take this cooperation even further in the future.

Friends,

The space sector itself is enough to demonstrate how much the economies of India and New Zealand can offer to each other. This is also the spirit behind our Trade Agreement. This Trade Agreement will accelerate our journey towards a developed India and create new opportunities for businesses in both India and New Zealand.

Friends,

India and New Zealand share another very important similarity. This similarity lies in our indigenous cultures in celebrating and preserving our indigenous heritage. Today, I would like to specially acknowledge the Māori community.

I did not see the Haka merely as a performance. I saw in the Haka the soul of a community. It reflects courage, self-respect, reverence for one’s ancestors, and the collective strength of an entire community.

Friends,

There is a beautiful word in Māori culture, “Manaakitanga.” It means showing respect, offering a sense of belonging, and caring for someone wholeheartedly. In India, we also say, “Atithi Devo Bhava”, the guest is like God.

The words are different, the contexts are different, the attire is different, and the languages are different, but the sentiment is exactly the same.

Similarly, in Māori culture, there is a beautiful word for family, “Whanau,” meaning family. It encompasses multiple generations, relationships, and the entire community. In India too, we do not view family merely as a social arrangement; for us, family is an institution.

Friends,

There is another beautiful concept in Maori tradition — Kaitiakitanga. It teaches us that we are not the owners of nature; we are its guardians. India, too, has long upheld the same philosophy: "Mata bhoomih putroham prithivyah" — "The Earth is our mother, and I am her son." Guided by this spirit, India has launched several initiatives to protect Mother Earth, including Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and the Natural Farming Mission.

Friends,

I know that even though you live thousands of kilometres away, India continues to occupy a special place in your hearts. In the course of your daily lives, in one way or another, India is always present. Isn't that true? Your body may be here, but where is your heart? That is why you closely follow every achievement of India.

When you watch a cricket match from the stadium, many details can go unnoticed. But when you watch it on television from home, you catch every little nuance. In the same way, you remain aware of every development in India. And that is what makes you truly special.

Indians living abroad contribute to the progress of the countries they call home, while at the same time staying deeply connected with the development of their own country.

Friends,

We cherish our janmabhoomi, our motherland, with all our hearts, and we are equally devoted to our karmabhoomi, the land where we work and build our lives.

Friends,

Amidst global challenges, the pace at which India is progressing today is truly unprecedented. Let me present before you a bouquet of India's achievements, a bouquet that reflects the nation's capabilities. I have brought this bouquet especially for you. And I am certain that it contains at least one flower that you will admire, one that will also fill you with pride.

So, are you ready? Shall I present the bouquet? As I do, you can look for the flower that appeals to you the most. Or perhaps, every flower in this bouquet belongs to you.

Friends,

Today, India is the world's fastest-growing major economy. India is the world's largest vaccine producer. India is among the world's leading countries in mobile data consumption. Today, India is the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. It is also the world's second-largest telecommunications market. India is the world's second-largest producer of wheat and the world's largest producer of milk. It is also the world's second-largest producer of fish.

Friends,

Not only that, today India is the world's third-largest automobile market. India has also emerged as the world's third-largest start-up ecosystem. India is set to become the world's third-largest producer of renewable energy very soon. It has also become one of the world's leading countries in terms of solar energy capacity.

Friends,

Today, India is also offering new models of development to the world. India is successfully operating the world's largest digital identity platform. Today, billions of digital transactions take place every month in India through UPI. Dozens of countries around the world are showing interest in India's Digital Public Infrastructure. India is also reaching new heights in drone technology and space economy.

Friends,

This is the picture of a new India, one that demonstrates how India, like New Zealand, is maintaining a balance between ecology and the economy.

Friends,

There is another important dimension to India's growth. It is our heritage. Just as India attaches importance to its economy and ecology, it places equal emphasis on preserving its heritage.

Friends,

An example of how India responds in times of need is the manner in which we handled the sacred swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib. When the crisis unfolded in Afghanistan, we brought the sacred swaroops of the Guru Granth Sahib to India with the utmost reverence and respect.

Friends,

Our great Sikh Gurus gave the message of service, courage, equality and compassion to all humanity. In every part of the world, Gurdwaras serve as centres of selfless service. Anyone who comes hungry is offered a meal. Anyone in distress finds support.

In this spirit, members of the Sikh community had brought to our attention certain difficulties related to FCRA provisions affecting seva at Sri Harmandir Sahib. We took immediate steps to resolve the issue.

Friends,

All of you are familiar with Hemkund Sahib Ji. Located high in the Himalayas, it remains surrounded by snow-covered peaks for much of the year. The pilgrimage route is extremely challenging, and only a limited number of devotees are able to undertake the journey, especially our Sikh brothers and sisters who visit the shrine.

To make the pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib more convenient, particularly for our elderly devotees and our Sikh brothers and sisters, the Government is also constructing a ropeway to the shrine.

Friends,

Our Government has also instituted the annual observance of Veer Bal Diwas on 26 December in eternal remembrance of the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas. Today, it has become an occasion of inspiration for the entire nation. From Keralam to Assam, children across India are now learning about the sacrifice of the four Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri.

Veer Bal Diwas has instilled a spirit of unwavering courage in the hearts of countless children and young people across India.

Friends,

I would also like to speak to you about the sacred Jore Sahib. One of my colleagues in the Government is Shri Hardeep Puri. The ancestors of the Puri family served Guru Gobind Singh. Shri Hardeep Puri told me that his family has preserved the sacred Jore Sahib of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji for over 300 years.

At the time of Partition, Shri Puri's ancestors brought these sacred relics safely to Delhi. The family wished to entrust the sacred Jore Sahib to the Sikh Sangat so that a larger number of devotees could have the opportunity to pay their respects.

We then constituted a committee and sought the advice of experts well versed in Sikh traditions. Based on their recommendations, it was decided that the sacred Jore Sahib should be taken to the place where Guru Gobind Singh first set foot on this sacred land, the place of his birth, our revered Patna Sahib.

I am delighted that the sacred Jore Sahib is now at the holy shrine of Patna Sahib. It was my privilege to witness that sacred occasion and to be present there. I would also urge all of you that whenever you visit India, do make it a point to pay your respects at Patna Sahib.

Friends,

Today, I leave with immense confidence, immense affection, and countless cherished memories. And let me also say this to you: this time, it took 40 years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand. But you will not have to wait that long again. It will not take another 40 years. That is Modi's guarantee. And Modi’s guarantee means, a guarantee that it will be fulfilled.

Friends,

I would also like to make a request to you. Some time ago, we launched a new initiative for the children of our Indian diaspora. To help our children understand India and showcase India's diversity to the world, we started the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz. So far, only the curtain-raiser has been held, and I have been deeply impressed by the enthusiasm with which our young participants have taken part.

Now, we are making the sixth edition of this programme even more technology-driven. Many of the events this time will be conducted through an app. I urge all the young people here to participate in this programme. Get to know India better and help connect the people of New Zealand with India's rich heritage.

Friends,

I see a bright future ahead, one illuminated by the vision of a developed India and the prosperity of New Zealand. With this confidence, I once again thank you all very much.

My sincere thanks to Prime Minister Luxon and his team. My gratitude to the people of New Zealand.

Once again, join me in saying, Bharat Mata Ki Jai!

Vande Mataram!

Thank you!
Ki Ora!

DISCLAIMER -This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi.

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MJPS/SS/ST