Accolades galore at the offices of the Consul General of India in Auckland
Venkat Raman
Auckland, July 4, 2025
With accolades flowing unabated in praise of India’s most popular Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it almost sounded like an election rally, but it was not; the occasion was the commemoration of the Eleventh Anniversary of his leadership.
The meeting, held on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the offices of the Consulate General of India in Auckland, located on Queen Street, Auckland Central Business District, was attended by about 100 men and women. The event, themed ‘Eleven Years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government: A Diaspora Perspective,’ was a confluence of intellect, sentiment, and aspiration, drawing together community leaders, academics, political figures, and cultural custodians.
Engagement and Growth
Consul General Dr Madan Mohan Sethi pledged unwavering commitment to the objectives of the Indian government, particularly in fostering robust trade and commercial ties between New Zealand and India. Underscoring the importance of nurturing a vibrant and constructive dialogue with the Indian Diaspora, whom he described as “the living bridge between India and the world.” He lauded the community’s dynamism and affirmed that every member of the Diaspora is, in essence, an Ambassador of India, carrying forth the nation’s values, culture, and aspirations.
Transformation under Modi
The evening’s central theme was explored through videos, digital presentations and speeches, offering a lens on India’s transformation since 2014.
Mr Modi’s tenure has been marked by sweeping reforms, infrastructural renaissance, and a recalibration of India’s global standing.
Economically, India has ascended from the 10th to the 4th largest economy in the world, with a GDP now expected to have exceeded US$ 4.1 trillion. The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 unified the nation’s complex tax structure, bolstering ease of doing business and enhancing revenue collection. The ‘Make in India’ initiative has catalysed manufacturing growth, while the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have attracted global investment.
Socially, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan led to the construction of over 110 million household toilets, significantly improving sanitation and public health. The Ayushman Bharat Scheme, the world’s largest health assurance programme, has provided health cover to over 500 million Indians.
Electrification of villages, expansion of rural roads, and the Digital India campaign have collectively bridged the urban-rural divide.
In international relations, India has emerged as a pivotal player in global diplomacy.
The successful hosting of the G20 Summit in 2023, the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in 2024, and the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir (August 2019) are emblematic of a government unafraid to act decisively.
For the record: So intense is the reverence of the Indian Diaspora for the charisma of the leader and the Bharatiya Janata Party that no one seems to acknowledge that it has been a government of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The NDA is a broad multi-party-political alliance in India, with the BJP being its largest and leading component. While the BJP achieved outright majorities in the 2014 and 2019 general elections, in the 2024 general election, it did not secure a sole majority and is therefore reliant on its coalition partners within the NDA to form the government.
Veer Khar: Modi’s dynamism
New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) President Veer Khar offered his heartfelt exposition on the evolving relationship between the Indian Diaspora and their homeland.
He said that Mr Modi has embraced the Diaspora not merely as a sentimental extension of India but as a strategic partner in its development journey.
“The Diaspora today is not peripheral; it is integral,” he said, urging community members to engage more deeply with India’s economic and cultural resurgence.
Dr Ashwin Polishetty
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Senior Lecturer Dr Ashwin Polishetty, presented a Kiwi perspective on India’s strides in Science, Technology, and Innovation. He highlighted India’s achievements in space exploration, including the Chandrayaan-3 Lunar Mission and the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Dr Polishetty also noted the exponential growth of India’s start-up ecosystem, now the third largest in the world, with over 100 unicorns. He called for greater Indo-Kiwi collaboration in research, renewable energy, and digital technologies.
Dr Rahul Sen
AUT Senior Lecturer (Economics and Finance) Dr Rahul Sen provided a nuanced analysis of New Zealand-India bilateral trade. He acknowledged the modest trade volume, currently valued at $2.8 billion, but expressed optimism about prospects.
According to him, a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) rather than ‘a mere’ Free Trade Agreement, would encompass not only goods but also services, investment, and digital trade. He emphasised the potential for collaboration in agritech, education, and pharmaceuticals, and welcomed the recent announcement of a direct air link between Auckland and New Delhi.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi
Former National List MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi offered a ringside view of the bilateral relationship, drawing upon his years of parliamentary experience. He recounted the visits of Prime Minister John Key to India in 2011 and 2016 and the subsequent momentum in diplomatic engagement.
Stating that the visit of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in March 2025 to India, Mr Bakshi said that it is the political will that can elevate the relationship to a strategic partnership, underpinned by people-to-people ties and mutual respect.
Indian Newslink Editor
In his address, Indian Newslink Editor delved into the theme, ‘A United Indian Diaspora: Myth, Reality or Necessity?’ He acknowledged the diversity within the Diaspora: linguistic, regional, and religious, but argued that unity need not imply uniformity.
“Our strength lies in our plurality,” he said, “but our influence lies in our unity.” He urged community organisations to transcend parochialism and collaborate on shared goals such as youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and civic engagement.
Mahesh Bindra
Former New Zealand First MP Mahesh Bindra provided a comprehensive overview of India’s economic progress under Mr Modi. He cited the unified system of GST, eliminating the earlier, cumbersome local duties, record-breaking defence exports, the success of the UPI digital payments platform, which now processes over 10 billion transactions monthly, and the expansion of India’s highway network, which has doubled in length since 2014.
Reflection and Resolve
As the evening drew to a close, there was a palpable sense of pride and purpose among the attendees. The gathering was not merely a retrospective on a decade of governance but a forward-looking dialogue on the role of the Diaspora in shaping India’s future. The Consulate’s initiative to host such an event was widely lauded as a testament to its commitment to community engagement and diplomatic outreach.
Dr Sethi said, “Let us not be passive observers of India’s journey. Let us be active participants, informed advocates, and proud ambassadors.”
