An emerging leader from an emerging economy

Rahul Gandhi with Chris Carter, Phil Goff and Dr Rajen Prasad in Wellington

Labour Party Leader Phil Goff, Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson Chris Carter and I met with Rahul Gandhi (a Member of the Indian Parliament and General Secretary of the ruling Congress Party) at Parliament in Wellington during his six-day visit to  New Zealand as the inaugural Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow. 

The hour-long discussion traversed a large number of topics. 

Rahul was particularly interested in the future directions of India-New Zealand relations. Mr Goff talked about many points of connection between the two countries, our historical linkages and how the relationship will be even more important in the future because of the strong Indian community in New Zealand as well as the current Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the two countries, the joint study for which began during his term as Trade Minister. 

Mr Goff said as Foreign and Trade Minister he had worked to build strong relationships with India.

“India is important to us as the world’s largest democracy and as a nation which will play a growing political and economic role in Asia-Pacific and the world.

“Our economies are complementary and we share democratic and human rights values where we can work together for a better and fairer world,” he said.

We were impressed with Rahul’s grasp of issues in the South East Asian region, especially those along India’s borders. 

He was at ease discussing Indian economic and development issues as well as those in countries surrounding India, especially Afghanistan.

Bilateral relations were of particular interest to both leaders.

Former Prime Minister, the late David Lange had laid the foundation for a strong relationship with the Gandhi family, having worked closely with Rahul’s grandmother Indira Gandhi and father Rajiv Gandhi, both of who served as Prime Minister.

Rahul Gandhi was particularly interested in the Indian community in New Zealand. 

I mentioned to him about the growing presence and participation of New Zealand Indians in every facet of New Zealand life and saw this as a reflection of the confidence of the Indian community in New Zealand.

I told him that the Indian Diaspora will be critical in the country’s efforts to strengthening the economic, social and cultural links with India.

Mr Carter was particularly interested in discussing India’s views on the security situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Mr Gandhi was also strongly interested in New Zealand’s farming prowess and the education opportunities it offered Indians.

During his week-long stay, he attended a luncheon hosted by Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand (see separate story in this section), visited Queenstown and Milford Sound and did a bungy jump.

In Wellington he visited the Victoria University Coastal Ecology Laboratory, met political leaders, representatives of trade and the film industry and held talks with Asia-New Zealand young leaders.

He met a number of Members of Parliament at a dinner hosted by Parliamentary Speaker Lockwood Smith.

I was honoured to have spent a few hours with Rahul. 

He was very courteous, thoughtful and incisive in his comments. 

Clearly he is destined to reach great heights in tomorrow’s India.