Sports and Space Cooperation Between India and New Zealand Emphasised

Modi highlighted a year of growing sporting ties, recalling the historic 1920s tour when India’s hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand captivated Kiwi fans. He noted that this year marks the completion of a one‑year India‑New Zealand sporting relations program.

Turning to rugby, the prime minister praised the recent All Blacks victory and expressed India’s intent to learn from New Zealand’s coaching expertise. He mentioned a recent coaching exchange in Bhubaneswar that he considers a promising start.

On the technology front, Modi referenced a New Zealand sports‑tech startup event he attended before arriving in Auckland. He said the innovative ideas showcased there could spark joint ventures.

Finally, he celebrated the role New Zealand’s space technology played in India’s Moon South Pole mission, stating that the collaboration underscored how the two economies can complement each other across sectors.