Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 28, 2023
The decision of the Government of India to open an office of Consulate General with full-fledged Consular and other services in Auckland will deepen the diplomatic footprint of India and help foster its interests in the Indo-Pacific and South Pacific regions.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last night (December 27, 2023) in New Delhi that his Cabinet has approved a proposal to establish the Consulate General of India in Auckland.
“Opening of Consulate General of India in Auckland would help increase India’s diplomatic footprint and strengthen India’s diplomatic representation given India’s increasing global engagement. This will also help promote India’s strategic and commercial interests and better serve the welfare of the Indian community in Auckland,” Mr Modi’s office said in a Statement.
Door Darshan, India’s official Television Channel later announced that the Consulate will likely be opened and fully operationalised within the next 12 months.
The announcement is seen as a seasonal gift, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Fully Fledged Services
According to Indian government sources, as per custom, the Consulate General will be an Officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) with full diplomatic credentials and immunity, reporting to the High Commissioner in Wellington. The Consulate Office will provide all consular (Visas, Overseas Citizen of India Approvals and Renewals), commercial (trade, foreign investment), cultural (exchange visits, performances and events) and other services.
While opening a $90 million diplomatic (High Commission) complex in Wellington, complete with a library, archives, a cultural complex and comprehensive catering facilities in October 2023 was a landmark event, it also signalled New Delhi’s commitment to strengthen its relations with New Zealand.
The presence of a Consulate General of India in Auckland will match New Zealand’s presence in India with its High Commission in New Delhi and a Consulate General’s Office in Mumbai.
New Zealand also has an Honorary Consul in Chennai.
The formation of a Coalition government with National, ACT and New Zealand First- three political parties that are committed to a free market economy and the appointment of Winston Peters as the Minister of Foreign Affairs last month augur well with India’s decision to enhance its diplomatic presence in Auckland.
A historic perspective
However, the idea of establishing the office of the Consulate General in Auckland, the country’s largest city with a large Indian population goes back to 2006 when Kadakath Pathrose Ernest was appointed as the High Commissioner and Plenipotentiary of India to New Zealand.
Mr Earnest was sympathetic to the idea and it was mooted again during the visit of then Minister of State for External Affairs Edappakath (E A) Ahamed to New Zealand on August 21, 2008.
A report published in Indian Newslink September 1, 2008 quoted him as saying, “We will consider the possibility of opening a Consulate office if it is feasible and practical; but in the interim period, it may be possible to arrange for a fortnightly or monthly visit of consular officials from Wellington to render the necessary services.”
For a while, such services were provided at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre in Central Auckland, every quarter, over weekends for the convenience of the Indian Diaspora and others.
A similar request was made to the then-Indian Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi during his visit to Auckland on June 20, 2010. He had promised to progress the matter, including considering the facility to print Indian passports at the Indian High Commission in Wellington.
Against such a background of increasing interest, the announcement by Mr Modi augurs well with the intention of both countries to get closer.
Refreshers
Key brings goodwill from India
New Zealand announces new initiatives for India
A strategic move
New Zealand is keen to improve its political and economic ties with India and the role of Mr Peters will be critical in the process. As a veteran, rich with experience (he has been Foreign Minister twice under Coalition governments with Labour), he understands not only the intricacies of diplomacy but also the importance of getting closer to India, which is emerging as a global power. Although India is allergic to reduction of tariffs on agricultural and dairy products, New Zealand can attempt to secure deals in the services sector, manufacturing and investment opportunities, promote the education and tourism sectors and seek better utilisation of India’s youthful and skilled population.
Mr Peters will soon be considering the next High Commissioner to India (with simultaneous representation to Bangladesh and Nepal) and we are sure that the next phase of bilateral relations will receive his foremost attention.
Trade and Investment Commissioner
India has offices of the Consulate General in all major countries (including USA, UK, Russia, Germany and Australia) at each of which the services rendered also include international students from India, facilitating visits of trade missions, organising and participating in local trade fairs and promoting investments into India.
In the 1960s, important centres such as New York, London, Paris and Geneva had dedicated officers to promote investments in India. Given Mr Modi’s government’s pledge to make India a fully developed country with ‘total self-reliance,’ India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand will do well to lobby for such a position in Wellington.
Last year, as India celebrated 75 years of independence, Mr Modi introduced the concept of ‘Amrit Kaal’ (The Era of Elixir), his vision for ‘New India’ for 2047 (when India marks its centenary year as a free country). His plans and programmes are directed towards the coming 25 years when India will restructure all fragments of its economy through rapid profitable growth, better living conditions for all, infrastructural and technological advancements, and re-awakening the world’s trust in India.
“The Panch Pran or the Five Fundamentals of Amrit Kaal include the goal of developing India, elimination of any trace of the colonial mindset, honour and pride in our roots, development of unity, and a sense of duty among citizens,” he said.
Wakeup call to New Zealand
Speaking at the Ninth Annual meeting of the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) in Auckland in March 2000 (reported in Indian Newslink, April 2000 issue), former Prime Minister, the late David Lange lamented that New Zealand has not woken to the fact that there are more millionaires in India than the populations of both New Zealand and Australia put together.
“This country has a lot to learn from India. It is a pity that our trade has not expanded at a more rapid pace. It is a more of cultural thing. India takes a little getting used to. How effective Business Councils are in terms of trade will depend on which country New Zealand is in association with. Two years ago I went to the conference in Mumbai but it had to be cancelled because there was not enough support,” he said.
Almost 24 years later, much has changed in the political landscape of both countries but bilateral relations have not seen significant improvements. INZBC continues to be in rhetoric whereas there is no news about its counterpart in India.
New Delhi and Mr Modi have shown their seriousness towards New Zealand with the announcement of a Consulate General Office in Auckland. It is now Wellington’s turn to return that compliment with an open-hearted and robust engagement. A beginning was made by Trade Minister Todd McClay during his first overseas visit as a Minister of the Crown under the current Coalition government.
We hope that the momentum will keep the two countries in constructive engagement that is mutually beneficial and progressive.
