Indian President Droupadi Murmu, who concluded a three-day state visit to New Zealand on Friday, has hailed the contribution of Kiwi Indians to all aspects of life in the South Pacific nation.
Addressing hundreds in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, the first tribal Indian head of state expressed "great pride in the success of Indian community".
"I am told the Indian community is now 6 percent of New Zealand's population, and the largest ethnic minority," Murmu said. "Each one of you represents India here. You have brought the fragrance of India to New Zealand.
"You contribute to all spheres of life here, including education, IT, health, sports and culture. The way you have preserved Indian culture and tradition in New Zealand is inspiring.
"Very soon, India will be the world's third-largest economy. I invite all of you to be a part of the India growth story and contribute towards making the country a developed nation by 2047."
Indian President Droupadi Murmu meets members of the Indian community on Friday. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
The president got the loudest cheers when she spoke about the Indian government's decision to open a consulate-general in Auckland by the end of this year.
Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan noted how the Indian community in New Zealand had always offered support whenever there was a calamity.
"We saw it during Covid, and then again in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle [on the East Coast]," Bhushan said. "The community leaves no stone unturned in helping others."
Bhav Dhillon, honorary consul of India in Auckland, called the second-ever visit to New Zealand by an Indian head of state "very significant".
"I believe the visit shows the importance India attaches to its relationship with New Zealand," Dhillon said.
Indian President Draupadi Murmu poses for a photo with Neeta Bhushan (right), high commissioner of India to New Zealand, in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Former National Party MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi praised the importance the government has placed on improving relations with India.
"Our bilateral relations were improving significantly when I was in Parliament during Sir John Key's time," Bakshi said. "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is carrying that baton forward."
Mahesh Muralidhar, a venture capitalist and National Party electoral candidate in Auckland Central in 2023, agreed.
"The ever-increasing Indian diaspora in New Zealand makes a huge difference and can play a major role in improving relations between our two countries, and open channels of commerce," he added.
Parmjeet Parmar, a list MP in the Act Party, urged New Delhi and Wellington to continue making strides and invest in bilateral exchanges more often.
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Ranjna Patel asserted how the view towards India has changed over the years.
"Earlier the relationship between our countries was mere tokenism," he said. "But now, the success of Indians all over the world, and in India, has highlighted the talent there. It has opened everyone's eyes.
"[On Thursday], during the state dinner, the speech made by the President was so endearing, and sincere in the bridges India wants to build with New Zealand," she said.
Protesters call for the Indian government to recognise an independent state of Khalistan. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Meanwhile, a small group of protesters gathered outside the venue to lobby for an independent state for Sikhs.
Venkat Raman, publisher of Indian Newslink, said the visit could be considered an important stepping stone towards building a better relationship.
"As New Zealand is now looking towards better relations with India ... the Indian diaspora, which is now more than 120 years old in New Zealand, will and should play a major role in it," he said. "There are better days ahead in our bilateral relations."
