Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, Winston Peters, currently on an official visit to India, immersed himself in spiritual reverence as he offered prayers at the Akshardham Temple in New Delhi on Monday.
Welcomed by the esteemed Vishwavihari Swami (Kothari Swamiji) with traditional garlands, Peters received a warm reception at the temple. During his visit, Peters explored the model room of the Akshardham Temple, gaining insights into the community’s practices and principles. He was provided with information about the temple and its various activities.
Participating in the worship rituals at the temple’s Neelkanth Varni Abhishek Mandap, Peters expressed admiration for the spiritual ambiance. Immersing himself fully in the experience, he conducted prayers and took a comprehensive tour of the entire premises, including its gardens.
Winston Peters arrived in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Sunday night as part of his official visit. His trip to India, from March 10 to 13, was extended at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, according to a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
This marks Peters’ first visit to India since the new government in New Zealand assumed office in November 2023. He had previously visited India as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in February 2020.
In Ahmedabad, Peters is expected to engage with the political leadership of Gujarat. Subsequently, in New Delhi, he will hold a bilateral meeting with EAM Jaishankar on March 12, 2024, where various aspects of the bilateral relationship between India and New Zealand will be discussed.
During his official visit, Deputy Prime Minister Peters is also scheduled to meet with other dignitaries, fostering warm and friendly relations between the two nations. India and New Zealand share commonalities in democratic traditions and values, further strengthened by robust people-to-people ties.
Bilateral cooperation spans across diverse areas such as trade and economy, defence and security, education and research, as well as environment and climate change, as emphasized by the MEA release. The establishment of bilateral relations between India and New Zealand dates back to 1952, with New Zealand recognizing India as a priority country in its “Opening Doors to India” policy, first introduced in October 2011 and reiterated in 2015.
