Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita will visit New Zealand and Fiji from May 8 to 12 to strengthen India’s bilateral relations with the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday.
During his visit to New Zealand from May 8 to 9, Margherita will hold meetings with the country’s political leadership and engage with prominent business leaders and members of the Indian diaspora in Auckland.
India and New Zealand share close and cordial relations based on democratic values, membership in the Commonwealth, and common legal systems. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1950 with the opening of a Trade Commission, which was later upgraded to a High Commission.
From May 10 to 12, the minister will travel to Fiji, where he will attend the third Girmit Day ceremony as the Guest of Honour and hold meetings with Fijian political leaders.
India’s historical links with Fiji date back to 1879, when Indian labourers arrived under the indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, over 60,000 Indians were brought to Fiji. India established diplomatic representation in 1948, which was elevated to a High Commission following Fiji’s independence in 1970.
According to the MEA, the visit is part of India’s continued efforts to deepen its engagement with the Pacific region and is expected to further enhance bilateral cooperation with both countries.
