New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the long-standing sporting ties between India and New Zealand after attending a sporting showcase with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. He described sports as a strong bridge connecting the two countries.
Speaking on X, PM Modi wrote, “Sports have always been a strong bridge between India and New Zealand. This year, we are also celebrating a century of strong sporting ties. In Auckland, PM Luxon and I attended a sporting showcase, where we witnessed a variety of innovative sporting innovations. It was great to see how technology and creativity are shaping the future of sports and bringing our two countries even closer.”
PM Modi’s sporting showcase was part of his larger effort to strengthen international sports partnerships, following his participation in an event celebrating India-Australia sporting ties at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) a few days earlier.
Accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan, Modi interacted with young athletes playing exhibition matches of cricket, kabaddi, and Australian rules football. This included appearances by Australian greats such as Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar.
During this visit, PM Modi and Albanese jointly launched the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap, which emphasizes sports, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties as key pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
PM Modi noted that India and Australia share a deep sporting bond and that there are excellent opportunities for further deepening cooperation in sports, youth engagement, infrastructure, and talent development as both countries prepare to host major global sporting events. He also congratulated Australia on winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Pointing to the next decade, PM Modi said that India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and Australia the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, and said that the next decade offers a natural opportunity for closer bilateral collaboration in sports and related industries.
