Excellency,
I sincerely thank you for your warm words of friendship.
Your arrival at the airport last night was, in itself, a very significant gesture, and I would like to express my special gratitude to you for it.
I am also grateful that your Minister stayed with me throughout the night. It is a matter of great happiness for me that an Indian Prime Minister is visiting New Zealand after 40 years. By organising this programme in your economic capital, you have created an opportunity to give a new impetus to India–New Zealand relations. I express my heartfelt gratitude to you for this.
Coming among the people of New Zealand and witnessing their affection and warmth towards India is deeply moving. It touches my heart, and I express my sincere gratitude to you for this as well.
This is a historic milestone in our relationship, reaffirming the new energy in our ties and our renewed commitment to friendship. When you visited India, we initiated the FTA process. And in such a short span of time, entire New Zealand came together to take the FTA forward and make it a reality. It is perhaps a rare achievement in the world for such a success to be accomplished in such a short time. For this, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you, your government, and your entire team for your leadership and efforts.
Last year, you visited India during the festival of Holi. Your visit added new colours to our relationship as well, because the colours of Holi hold a special significance, and we experienced that spirit together. I am delighted that today we are moving towards shaping our relationship within the framework of a Strategic Partnership. This milestone will inspire us to move forward with even greater energy and deeper trust.
Excellency,
Our strong belief in democratic values makes us natural partners. It is almost as if we are made for each other. Furthermore, as two maritime nations, our close cooperation provides new strength to the Indo-Pacific, and our relationship can bring renewed energy to achieving our shared goals of peace and stability.
I am confident that my visit will further strengthen our bilateral relations, and together we will enhance our contribution towards global peace, stability, and security. We can, in a way, work as a catalytic agent, one that stands for peace, works for peace, and advances towards global welfare through peace.
Once again, I express my heartfelt gratitude for your warm welcome, your affection, and the respect extended to me.
