India names envoy to Niue

India's High Commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar has also been accredited as the Indian envoy to Niue, a South Pacific Ocean island with a population of some 1,400 people.

The external affairs ministry said Thapar will hold the new position in addition to his current role as high commissioner to New Zealand. He will be based in Wellington.

An island of 260 sq km, Niue is located 2,400 km northeast of New Zealand. A self-governing state, most of its diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand on its behalf. It is not a member of the UN.