Indian President Droupadi Murmu commenced the second leg of her three-nation tour with a visit to New Zealand, where she held significant bilateral talks aimed at bolstering the relationship between the two countries. Upon her arrival, President Murmu was honoured with a Royal Guard of Honour, underscoring the importance of her visit. The Indian President’s itinerary included a series of high-level meetings, starting with discussions with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro. The talks focused on strengthening cooperation across various sectors, with both sides recognizing the progress made in recent years and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
“Both leaders acknowledged the progress in bilateral relations and deliberated upon ways of enhancing cooperation in several areas,” stated the President’s Office on X, reflecting the positive tone of the discussions. Education emerged as a focal point of President Murmu’s visit, particularly during her address at the New Zealand International Education Conference in Wellington. She emphasized the transformative power of education and highlighted the significant reforms India has undertaken, including the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. President Murmu called for deepening educational ties between India and New Zealand, noting that over 8,000 Indian students are currently studying in New Zealand, making them the second-largest group of international students in the country.
“Education has always been close to my heart. I have seen and experienced first-hand the transformative power of education. In 21st-century India, our education system plays a significant role and has produced leaders in diverse fields who are contributing not only in India but also around the world,” President Murmu remarked.
She praised New Zealand’s education system, particularly its emphasis on research, innovation, inclusivity, and excellence, and expressed optimism about the potential for further cooperation in this area. Beyond education, President Murmu’s visit was marked by gestures of respect and remembrance. She paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Wellington Railway Station and laid a wreath at the Pukeahu National War Memorial to honor the martyred soldiers.
This visit to New Zealand follows President Murmu’s earlier stop in Fiji, where she was conferred with the country’s highest civilian honor, the ‘Companion of the Order of Fiji’. In her address to the Fijian Parliament, she highlighted India’s readiness to partner with Fiji to build a stronger, more resilient nation, reflecting the deepening ties between India and the Pacific nations. President Murmu’s ongoing tour underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic relations with countries in the Pacific region, focusing on shared values and mutual growth.
As she continues her tour, the outcomes of these high-level engagements are expected to further solidify the robust and friendly ties between India and New Zealand, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in various sectors.
