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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said that the Khalistan issue has caused “a huge amount of pain, loss, and suffering” in India, but asserted that it will not derail the growing partnership between the two countries, according to a report.
“We won’t tolerate intimidation or violence,” he said in an interview, as per a Khalsa Vox report. Stressing that freedom of speech is cherished, he, however, warned that strict police action will be taken against threats, intimidation, or criminal behaviour related to Khalistan elements. This approach demonstrates a growing acknowledgement that a vocal minority do not represent the views of the whole Sikh community in New Zealand or the Sikhs around the world.
“Luxon’s government is striking the right chord: upholding liberal values without naivety. By marginalising extremists and elevating the productive mainstream of the Sikh community, New Zealand is fostering an environment where genuine cultural exchange flourishes. As India and New Zealand chart a forward-looking partnership, this sensible approach ensures that fleeting controversies do not overshadow shared opportunities in a multipolar world,” the Khalsa Vox report said.
Luxon’s remarks come at a time when India and New Zealand are deepening economic and strategic ties.
Indian-origin New Zealand MP Parmjeet Parmar said that pro-Khalistan protesters are “a very small number” and can be “counted on your fingertips.” According to the newspaper, she stated the pro-Khalistan protestors do not represent the opinions of the larger community, including New Zealand Sikhs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to New Zealand from July 10 to 11. PM Luxon saw off PM Modi at the airport as he left for New Delhi after his visit.
During his tour, PM Modi met with Luxon at Government House in Auckland. Their discussions covered all aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, defense and security, agriculture and technology, sports, education, tourism, culture, and people-to-people contacts.
Following the meetings, both presidents saw the signing of many Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas such as defense and maritime security, hydrography, sports, disaster management, dairy, tourism, maritime heritage, culture, food technology, and ocean research.
Later, Prime Minister Modi and Luxon met with a select group of CEOs and business executives. PM Modi called the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a watershed moment that would strengthen bilateral economic connections while also creating new prospects for market access, investment, services, technology, and talent mobility.
The two leaders also attended a ‘India-New Zealand: A Winning Partnership’ Gala luncheon, which was attended by prominent figures from politics, business, industry, academia, technology, sports, and the arts.
Prime Minister Modi and Luxon walked through the unique sports equipment on display at the venue. They also met with New Zealand’s top athletes and other high-performance sports stakeholders.
PM Modi addressed a large gathering of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand, the ‘Kia Ora Modi’ event, which was attended by 10,000 members of the Indian community. PM Luxon attended the event as a special gesture.
Source: IANS
