New Delhi, March 19: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to India has paved the way for deeper cooperation between the two nations, with Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu holding a significant meeting with him at the residence of New Zealand High Commissioner to India, Patrick Rata.
According to reports, the leaders discussed strengthening ties in education, sports, and culture, while also addressing issues concerning the Indian diaspora and minorities.
“New Zealand is expanding its educational cooperation with India and is offering new scholarships, internships, and research partnerships,” Sandhu said.
“PM Luxon announced a scholarship package of 260,000 Kiwi dollars under the New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025, aiming to support Indian students pursuing higher education in New Zealand. This is truly a commendable development,” he added.
Sandhu underlined the growing diplomatic and strategic ties between the two nations.
“Prime Minister Luxon’s visit reflects the growing strategic and diplomatic relationship between our countries, built on trust, respect, and shared global interests. It also brings out the global stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the immense diplomatic trust India has achieved on the world stage today,” he stated.
During the meeting, Sandhu lauded New Zealand’s commitment to deepening educational ties with India.
“India and New Zealand share strong bilateral relations, with a large number of Indian students visiting the country for higher education and employment opportunities. Strengthening these ties will be a golden step for both countries,” he said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon, during his five-day visit, also met with PM Modi.
The two leaders signed agreements on trade, education, security, science and technology, disaster management, and maritime security.
According to Sandhu, PM Luxon praised Modi’s leadership and India’s recent achievements, highlighting the country’s 50 percent economic growth, lifting 250 million people out of poverty, and its technological strides, including the historic moon landing at the South Pole.
“PM Luxon also supported New Delhi’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, recognizing India’s key role in the Indo-Pacific region in today’s multi-polar world,” Sandhu added.
Prominent figures at the meeting included Convener of NID Foundation Professor Himani Sood, Kiwi MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Patron of the India-New Zealand Business Council Bhav Dhillon, and former Honorary Consul of India in Auckland.
