Zealand – Central News Hub

Navy Chief discusses closer ties with New Zealand counterpart

Admiral Hari Kumar was also honoured to be invited as a distinguished guest to Auckland’s “Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony” to commemorate this momentous anniversary…reports Asian Lite News

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, who visited New Zealand from September 29 to October 1, has held detailed discussions on closer maritime cooperation with New Zealand’s Chief of Navy Rear Admiral David Proctor.

The discussions between India’s Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) covered a wide spectrum of maritime cooperation opportunities, India’s Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.

“Both leaders exhibited enthusiasm towards expanding the scale and scope of bilateral engagements in the coming years,” the ministry added.

Admiral Hari Kumar conveyed compliments to RNZN leadership for their active participation in MILAN-22 and said that the Indian Navy was looking forward to maiden participation of young RNZN officers in the upcoming Admiral’s Cup Sailing Regatta, scheduled to be hosted by the Indian Navy in December 2022.

An Agreement on White Shipping Information Exchange was signed during the Indian Navy Chief’s visit. Describing it as “milestone achievement”, the Ministry of Defence said closer collaboration towards enhancing shared Maritime Domain Awareness was in keeping with convergent views of both countries with regard to promoting greater transparency in the maritime domain.

On his arrival, he was warmly welcomed in the traditional Powhiri ceremony hosted by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) leadership at the Te Taua Moana Marae and was presented the Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Navy Ground.

The visit coincided with RNZN’s 81st anniversary celebrations and India’s Chief of Naval Staff presented a model of recently commissioned Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant to his New Zealand counterpart.

Admiral Hari Kumar was also honoured to be invited as a distinguished guest to Auckland’s “Beat Retreat and Ceremonial Sunset Ceremony” to commemorate this momentous anniversary.

Later, he visited the Maritime Museum of New Zealand, which highlights the nation’s rich maritime past. Admiral Hari Kumar also took advantage of the chance to meet Indian veterans and local officials in Auckland while being escorted by Bhav Dhillon, the Honorary Consul of India in Auckland.

“The visit to New Zealand further consolidated shared commitments of both navies and has set in motion a promising growth trajectory for deeper bilateral maritime engagements,” the Ministry of Defence noted.

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Jaishankar to visit New Zealand and Australia this week

To commemorate and showcase “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” in New Zealand, both leaders will also release India@75 postal stamps…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be visiting New Zealand and Australia from October 5 to October 11, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday.

This will be his first visit to New Zealand. On October 6, EAM Jaishankar and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will attend an event in Auckland to honor members of the Indian community in New Zealand for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions.

To commemorate and showcase “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” in New Zealand, both leaders will also release India@75 postal stamps.

EAM Jaishankar will launch the book ‘Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery’. A book showcasing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s special bond with the Sikh community ‘Heartfelt – The Legacy of Faith’ will also be released.

His schedule includes a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta in Auckland to discuss and evaluate the whole range of bilateral relations between the two countries, the MEA said in its press release.

He will also interact with several ministers, including Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector, Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, and Youth Priyanca Radhakrishnan, the first person of Indian descent to hold the office of Minister in New Zealand, as well as with parliamentarians, members of the business community, and members of the Indian diaspora, including Indian students. Later, he will inaugurate the Indian High Commission’s brand-new building in Wellington.

According to the MEA, the External Affairs Minister will visit Canberra and Sydney while in Australia. This would be EAM Jaishankar’s second visit to Australia this year; the first being in February 2022 to attend the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Melbourne.

Additionally, EAM Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will hold the 13th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) during the visit. He will also meet with Richard Marles, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Australia. During the visit, he will engage with the Australian Navy, the media, and think tanks like Sydney’s Lowy Institute.

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