‘New Zealand recognizes India’s role at the global and regional levels’: New Zealand Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will arrive in India on March 10 as part of his three-nation tour.

Peters will hold talks with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. (Image: X/@ winstonpeters)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand: Recognizing India’s leading role on the world stage, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Tuesday said his country is committed to building a “broader, deeper, mutually beneficial relationship” with the country.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will arrive in India on March 10 as part of his three-nation tour. He will visit New Delhi and Ahmedabad. Peters will also emphasize the two countries’ shared interest in helping the development of the Pacific Islands region.

“India is a country with which New Zealand can, must and will do more. New Zealand recognizes the global and regional leadership role that India plays, and we are committed to building a broader, deeper and mutually beneficial relationship,” Peters said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Peters will also visit Singapore and Indonesia to strengthen relations between New Zealand and South and South East Asian countries.

Peters will hold meetings with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Singapore’s Vivian Balakrishnan respectively.

“It will be a privilege to spend even more time with three such experienced and accomplished Foreign Ministers whose views on the issues facing the world and the Indo-Pacific in particular carry significant weight. “If New Zealand wants to maximize our influence and impact in the region, we need to up our game with all three countries India, Indonesia and Singapore,” he said.

Gujarat calls Gujarat “an engine of Indian economic growth” with significant connections to New Zealand’s Indian diaspora. A government press release said Peters will also meet Secretary of State Bhupendrabhai Patel.

“In Delhi, he will highlight the shared interest that New Zealand and India have in helping the development of the Pacific Islands region,” the release said, adding that his visit to India will end on March 13.

(With IANS inputs)