'Moving ahead with connecting India's UPI and New Zealand's payment system': Modi
Auckland [New Zealand], July 11 (HBTV): Highlighting the practical implementation of their newly established Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that India and New Zealand are expanding bilateral ties across multiple sectors, including a major digital integration connecting India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with New Zealand's fast-payment network.
Addressing the gala lunch hosted in his honour by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, PM Modi stated that the two nations are transforming their respective institutional strengths into practical cooperation across digital technology, agriculture, education, and traditional medicine.
'Friends, to make our Strategic Partnership meaningful, we are turning the strengths of both countries into practical cooperation. In the field of Fintech, we are moving ahead with connecting India's UPI and New Zealand's payment system. In agriculture, dairy, and food processing, we have developed a strong framework for cooperation, which will benefit our farmers and cattle rearers,' the Prime Minister said.
Focusing on expanding cultural and institutional cooperation, PM Modi invited New Zealand's educational institutions to expand their presence in India under new policies.
'The Cultural Cooperation MOU signed today will boost exchanges in the arts, culture, heritage, and creative industries of both countries. New Zealand has been an important destination for Indian students. We invite New Zealand universities to open campuses in India,' PM Modi added, while also announcing a mutual effort to promote traditional medicine systems through healthcare cooperation.
Lauding the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, the Prime Minister described the community as the foundation of the growing bilateral relationship.
'Friends, the strongest strength of our relations is our people-to-people ties. People of the Indian community, through their hard work and talent, have carved out a special place for themselves in New Zealand. I thank Prime Minister Luxon, the New Zealand government, and the people of New Zealand for their care,' he noted.
The statements by the two leaders were reflected in the India-New Zealand Joint Statement, which recognised the Indian community as an 'integral and valued part of New Zealand's diverse society' and a 'living bridge' contributing to the economy, culture, and public life of both nations.
The two leaders also welcomed the '100 Years of Unity Through Sport in 2026' initiative and the 'India-New Zealand Joint Action Plan on Sport.' The plan provides a framework for cooperation through the exchange of expertise in high-performance sports, coaching, and sports science.
Cultural and historical ties also received a boost through a new arrangement linking India's National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal with the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
The cross-sector announcements form the core of the newly adopted 'Roadmap to 2030,' signed during the two-day visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years.
(ANI)