Lok Sabha Speaker praises Indians staying in New Zealand

Praising the Indian community settled in New Zealand for their overall contribution, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday said India's engagement with the world is not limited to export-import and that India befriends and cooperates in every field.

Mahajan, who is leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to New Zealand, said that the increasingly beneficial presence of the Indian community in New Zealand and its purposive contribution to their host nation's society and economy has earned laurels not only for them but also to the country of their origin.

According to an official statement, she said: "Democracy, cricket and the Indian community are the three main pillars on which India-New Zealand relationship rests."

Talking about Indian students in universities across New Zealand, the Lok Sabha Speaker said they exude youthful energy and are in a better position to further consolidate bilateral ties.

She urged all Indians, staying in New Zealand, to work hard and contribute meaningfully in their respective areas, saying they should shoulder dual responsibility of being well-wishers of India as well as to further the interests of India and New Zealand.

She asked them to carry forward and contribute in the success of India's flagship programmes like 'Make in India' and 'Digital India' etc.

The programme, which was hosted at the Indian Culture Centre of Wellington, was attended by New Zealand's members of parliament of Indian origin - Mahesh Bindra and Paramjit Parmar -- and Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Sanjeev Kohli and other officials of the two countries.

--IANS

sk/tsb/vt