AUCKLAND: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday met with his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta in person to discuss a range of issues, including the visa issues Indian students face, the conflict in the Ukraine, and security in the Indo-Pacific region, in addition to other bilateral issues.
"There was a discussion on some current, some pressing issues like the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, the consequences of the Ukraine conflict, and of course we spent some time on the major global issues, most notably climate action, climate justice," Jaishankar, who was on a tour of the country, said in a joint press conference.
He said, "Some of the initiatives that India has been supporting over the past few years are the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the Initiative for the Resilient Island States. It is important to collaborate not only bilaterally but with other countries to deal with contingencies like pandemics, which we know will recur at some point in the future and, of course, other common concerns, maritime security for example.
According to him, "I think we do recognise today that countries like India and New Zealand have a particular responsibility in forging a post-colonial order, which is fairer, which is more equitable, and which will provide the prosperity and stability to large parts of the world with which we are historically linked."
However, a significant portion of the conversation focused on improving the bilateral relationship, and its main takeaway was that both sides should take advantage of each other's advantages in business, education, technology, the digital world, agricultural trade, talent, and—most importantly—connections between individuals, as these are what both societies value most.
We briefly discussed the necessity for enhanced air connectivity when discussing the visa issue, he said. Concerns about students who had to leave New Zealand during the Covid period but were unable to have their visas renewed were another issue I brought up with the Minister.
"I suggested a fairer and more compassionate treatment for them, as well as students waiting to travel to New Zealand to continue their studies, and whether the visa application process for them could be sped up." He said, "We also discussed the abilities required in each community. There may be needs in New Zealand that India may fill, and there are mobility agreements with several nations, so it is possible that they could provide direction for development. A very candid debate also took place about how India and New Zealand's combined influence will alter the greater Indo-Pacific area, he said.
Dr. S Jaishankar is on a week-long visit to Australia and New Zealand.
EAM Jaishankar to embark New Zealand and more from Oct 5
S Jaishankar Is Greeted Warmly At The Pentagon
US responds to Jaishankar's rebuke on Pakistan's help, know what they said?