Craig
McCulloch, Deputy Political Editor
Prime
Minister Christopher Luxon has won significant facetime with
global heavyweight Narendra Modi on a frenetic full day in
India where both pledged closer cooperation.
But one
significant difference between the nations was aired, with
Modi alleging “anti-India activities by some illegal
elements” in New Zealand, a reference to a Sikh activist
group banned in India.
While India’s prime minister
said he was “confident” the New Zealand government would
take action, Luxon later told media he would not be cracking
down on the Khalistan movement.
It was a rare
disagreement in what otherwise seemed a warm meeting between
the two leaders, their second official sit down, about an
hour long.
Tactile diplomacy
The two leaders –
both known for their tactile approach – hugged when Luxon arrived
at New Delhi’s opulent Hyderabad House, and again after
delivering prepared remarks to media.
As well, they
shared lunch and later a cup of tea before then visiting a
prominent Sikh site Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.
There,
they donned traditional headdresses and cleansed their feet
before touring the temple.
Luxon told media he and
Modi shared “a really good connection”.
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“We
like each other,” Luxon said. “We actually have a similar
approach to how you run government and how you set targets
and you drive towards delivery and outcomes.”
The
countries agreed a slew of memoranda, pledging cooperation
across defence, customs, horticulture, forestry and
sports.
Modi also committed to more cooperation over
contentious matters like dairy and migration.
Luxon
joked they had avoided “major diplomatic incident” by not
raising either side’s cricketing record, prompting hearty
laughter from Modi.
Modi also borrowed some sporting
terminology: “I’m confident that our partnership will prove
to be a match-winning one for the people of both our
nations.”
Modi ‘confident’ of NZ support on
‘anti-India activity’
Towards the end of Modi’s
remarks, he noted both countries’ cooperation against
“terrorists, separatists and radical elements”.
“In
this context, we have shared our concerns about anti-India
activities by some illegal elements in New Zealand,” Modi
said.
“We are confident that we will continue to
receive the support of the New Zealand government in taking
action against these illegal elements.”
Later speaking
to media, Luxon said there was no suggestion the Khalistan
movement had broken any laws.
“We respect India’s
sovereignty, but we also have very strong free speech laws,”
he said.
“In a democracy, we expect people to be able
to exercise free speech.”
Luxon said he had
articulated that position both publicly and
privately.
The Khalistan movement advocates for the
creation of an independent homeland for Sikhs in
India.
Thousands took part in an event in Auckland’s
Aotea Square late last year – organised by US-based
separatist group Sikhs for Justice which is banned by the
Indian government.
Later talking to RNZ’s Morning
Report, Luxon downplayed the disagreement, and said it
had not been a difficult conversation and featured in just
“a very small part” of the wider talks.
“I’m sure that
we won’t agree on everything, you know, as any two
democracies in the world don’t either.
“But the point
is that we have… a huge amount of work ahead of us to
actually deepen up and thicken up this
relationship.”
He said Modi did not specifically ask
New Zealand to clamp down on the Khalistan movement here,
but rather shared his broad perspective.
Raisina
remarks
After sharing lunch, both Modi and Luxon left
for the opening of India’s Raisina Dialogue, a prestigious
geopolitics and security conference at the Taj Mahal Palace
Hotel in New Delhi.
As chief guest, Luxon delivered
the opening speech and laid the praise on thick, commending
Modi for “eliminating extreme poverty” in India.
As
well, Luxon laid out his commentary on the state of the
world and particularly the Indo-Pacific.
“We want to
live in an Indo-Pacific where countries are free to choose
their own path free from interference. A region where no one
country comes to dominate.
“We find ourselves in a
world that is growing more difficult and more complex,
especially for smaller states. However, we must engage with
the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.”
As well,
Luxon reiterated his commitment to boost spending on
defence.
“We have a responsibility to invest in our
own security as a downpayment on our future ability to
choose our own path.
“That is why New Zealand will be
scaling up and doing more to support our own
defence.”
The comments come at a volatile time in
global politics with dramatic shifts in previously
established power structures.
In the United States,
President Donald Trump is causing immense disruption to
markets as he wages a series of trade wars.
Trump’s
shifting position on the war in Ukraine has changed the face
of that conflict.
At the same time, China has been
increasingly flexing its influence in the
Indo-Pacific.
It recently caused alarm in New Zealand
after Chinese warships conducted
live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea with little advance
warning.
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