Blessen Tom
Auckland, November 4, 2024
New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to India, Patrick Rata, has launched his India stint with a video series titled ‘Dil se Dilli’ (Delhi from the heart), aimed at exploring opportunities for collaboration between India and New Zealand.
Mr Rata, who began his tenure earlier this year, succeeded David Pine, who served in New Delhi since 2020.
Mr Rata has a distinguished diplomatic career, having previously been the Acting High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and Ambassador to Italy.
He also served as New Zealand’s Permanent Representative to several Rome-based UN agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and the World Food Programme.
“Dil se Dilli”
The “Dil se Dilli” video series opens with Mr Rata at the iconic India Gate in New Delhi, where he introduces himself to viewers in Hindi.
“I am finding Delhi to be an exciting place-dynamic, vibrant, full of contrasts, but exciting,” Mr Rata says in the first episode.
In the series, Mr Rata highlights India’s significance to New Zealand and shares the coalition government’s commitment to enhancing the relationship between the two countries.
He notes that one of the ways to achieve this is through high-level diplomatic engagement.
Since coming to office, Trade Minister Todd McClay has visited India three times and has met India’s Trade Minister, Piyush Goyal, six times in total.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters also visited India in March, and New Zealand recently hosted Indian President Droupadi Murmu in August.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the East Asia Summit in Laos.
Mr Modi extended an official invitation to the PM to visit India.
The National Party had campaigned on securing a free trade agreement (FTA) with India in its first term, though experts have called this pledge “highly ambitious” due to significant differences, particularly over dairy.
However, Mr Luxon told RNZ his commitment to securing an FTA remains unchanged.
Meanwhile, in the video series, Mr Rata also highlighted other areas of potential collaboration, particularly in education and tourism.
He expressed New Zealand’s desire to welcome more Indian students to its educational institutions and attract Indian tourists to experience New Zealand’s natural beauty.
The High Commissioner’s video series also delves into the culinary culture of Delhi.
In one episode, Mr Rata explores the city’s vibrant street food scene, trying staples such as Chole Bhature, Mango Lassi, Jalebi, and Tea.
While discussing trade between the two nations, he mentioned that India imports products like kiwifruit, apples, avocado, and lamb from New Zealand.
“I hope that while I am here and working together with New Zealand’s different agencies, we can provide more opportunities for Indians to enjoy New Zealand produce,” Mr Rata said.
Opportunities for Collaboration
The series also features India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI), an instant bank payment system that was highlighted during the first round of free-trade negotiations between New Zealand and India in 2023.
Mr Rata also took a ride in an electric rickshaw to the Lodhi Art District, where he showcased a mural by Kiwi artist Aaron Glasson titled “The Sacrosanct Whole.”
Mr Rata emphasised that both countries could achieve significant progress by collaborating on ocean and energy issues, areas where their shared interests can drive innovation and mutual growth.
In the final episode, Mr Rata visits Dilli Haat, an arts and crafts centre in Delhi.
While exploring different stores, he noted similarities between the Māori and Indian cultures, particularly with Māori carvings and walking sticks.
“We call them Tokotoko,” he explained.
“There are lots of opportunities for collaboration between New Zealand and India in arts and culture through exhibitions, collaborative activities between artists and filmmakers, or residencies,” Mr Rata said.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade described the “Dil se Dilli” series as a digital diplomacy initiative, intended to introduce Mr Rata to India via social media while conveying key messages about New Zealand’s value proposition and bilateral relationship with India.
It was also to demonstrate the New Zealand diplomat’s interest in India and integration into the Indian culture, according to the spokesperson.
Blessen Tom is a Journalist at Radio New Zealand. The above report and pictures have been published under a Special Agreement with www.rnz.co.nz.
