Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleges “anti-Indian activity” in New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won a significant facetime with the world heavyweight Narendra Modi during a full day in India, where the two promised closer cooperation.

But a significant difference between nations has been disseminated, modifying alleging “anti-Indian activities by certain illegal elements” in New Zealand, a reference to a Sikh militant group prohibited in India.

While the Indian Prime Minister said he was “confident” that the New Zealand government would take action, Luxon later told the media that he would not repress the Khalistan movement.

It was a rare disagreement in what seemed otherwise a warm meeting between the two leaders, their second official sit down, about an hour.

Tactile diplomacy

The two leaders – both known for their tactile approach – embraced when Luxon arrived at the opulent Hyderabad House in New Delhi, and again after having prepared for the media.

In addition, they shared lunch and later a cup of tea before visiting a leading Sikh site Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.

There, they put on traditional caps and cleaned their feet before visiting the temple.

Luxon told Media that Modi and Modi shared “a very good connection”.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“We love each other,” said Luxon. “We actually have a similar approach to how you direct the government and how you set targets and lead to delivery and results.”

Countries have agreed with a series of memoranda, promising cooperation through defense, customs, horticulture, forestry and sports.

Modi is also committed to cooperating on disputed issues such as dairy products and migration.

Luxon joked by saying that they had avoided “a major diplomatic incident” by not increasing the cricket record of one or the other party, causing a warm laugh of Modi.

Modi has also borrowed a sports terminology: “I am convinced that our partnership will prove to be a match for the inhabitants of our two nations.”

Modi “confident” of the support of New Zealand on “anti-Indian activity”

Towards the end of Modi's remarks, he noted the cooperation of the two countries against “terrorists, separatists and radical elements”.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“In this context, we have shared our concerns about anti-Indian activities by certain illegal elements in New Zealand,” said Modi.

“We are convinced that we will continue to receive the support of the New Zealand government by taking measures against these illegal elements.”

Later, addressing the media, Luxon said there was no suggestion that the Khalistan movement had broken laws.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“We respect the sovereignty of India, but we also have very strong laws on freedom of expression,” he said.

“In a democracy, we expect people to exercise freedom of expression.”

Luxon said he had expressed this publicly and private position.

The Khalistan movement pleads for the creation of an independent homeland for Sikhs in India.

Thousands of people participated in an event in the Aotea place in Auckland at the end of last year – organized by the separatist group of the United States Sikhs for Justice, which is prohibited by the Indian government.

Later, talking to RNZ, Luxon said that he had “completely” trusted the police to manage all the illegal activities of people in support of the Khalistan movement in New Zealand.

“You know, two countries that have, you know, I am sure that we will not agree on everything, you know, like two democracies in the world either. But the fact is that we have much more work and work forward to deepen and thicken much more.

“And so it was not a difficult conversation. It was the one we have just expressed – he shared his broad assessment of the Khalistan's risk they see in the world, and I listened to this, but I also expressed our point of view on the way we think of these questions in New Zealand.”

He said that Modi had not specifically asked New Zealand to tighten the movement of the Khalistan here.

“No – he shared this large evaluation of, from an Indian point of view, from what they see in the separatist movement of the Khalistan.

“But I would just tell you in the context of our complete conversation, it was a very small part of the conversation. We spent much more time talking about how New Zealand sports services can really help India prepare for an Olympic game in 2036. And, they were very impressed by our efforts around sport and we spent a lot of time talking about it rather than these problems.”

Recrutement remarks

After sharing lunch, Modi and Luxon left for the opening of India's Raisina dialogue, a prestigious geopolitical and security conference at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in New Delhi.

As a guidance, Luxon gave the opening speech and launched the praise of the thickness, congratulating Modi to “eliminate extreme poverty” in India.

In addition, Luxon presented her comment on the state of the world and in particular Indo-Pacific.

“We want to live in an Indo-Pacific where countries are free to choose their own free way from interference. A region where no country comes to dominate.

“We find ourselves in a world that becomes more difficult and more complex, especially for small states. However, we have to get involved with the world as it is, as we wish.”

In addition, Luxon reiterated her commitment to stimulate defense spending.

Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“We are responsible for investing in our own security as a payment on our future ability to choose our own path.

“This is why New Zealand will evolve and do more to support our own defense.”

Comments arise at a volatile moment in global policy with dramatic changes in previously established power structures.

In the United States, President Donald Trump causes a huge disturbance of the markets as he warns a series of commercial wars.

Trump's changing position on Ukraine war has changed the face of this conflict.

At the same time, China has more and more flexed its influence in Indo-Pacific.

He recently provoked an alarm in New Zealand after Chinese warships led live shooting exercises in the Tasman Sea with little advanced warning.

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