Narendra Modi uses Auckland speech to connect with Sikh diaspora

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to connect with New Zealand's Sikh diaspora in his last Auckland address during his whirlwind visit over the weekend.

Speaking to more than 10,000 Kiwi Indians at Spark Arena on Saturday, Modi said India had continued to preserve and honour the sacred legacy of Sikhism.

RNZ journalists at the scene sighted a sprinkling of individuals from the Sikh community at the Kia Ora Modi event.

In his address, Modi referenced the Sikh gurus' message of service, courage and equality, which he said continued to inspire generations, while also enumerating his government efforts to safeguard sacred traditions of Sikhism, improve access to Sikh places of worship and honour the legacy of the Sahibzadas.

The Sahibzadas reference was for two sons of the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, whose martyrdom on 26 December 1704 is generally considered one of the bravest examples of sacrifice in the Sikh history.

Both sons, aged less than 10, refused to abandon their faith under coercion and were killed as a result.

Since 2022, India's government marks this day each year as Veer Bal Diwas (Brave Children's Day) in their memory.

"Today, this day has become a festival of inspiration for the entire country. Every child from [the Indian states of] Kerala to Assam is learning about the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas," Modi said.

"Veer Bal Diwas has instilled unwavering courage in the hearts of countless children and youth across India."

The Indian leader noted how "gurdwaras have become centres of service in every part of the world", something New Zealand has experienced firsthand as Sikh temples nationwide have stepped up when the community needs help.

"If someone is hungry, they receive food there. If someone is in distress, they receive support there," he said.

The Indian prime minister recalled how sacred copies of Sikh holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib were brought to India when trouble started brewing in Afghanistan in 2021.

Modi said India's government was building a ropeway to help Sikh pilgrims access Sri Hemkund Sahib, a sacred temple located in the Himalayas that remains surrounded by snow-capped peaks for much of the year.

Modi detailed the lessons India could learn from New Zealand in his speech at Spark Arena.

"India learns from everyone. What matters to us is not the population of the other country, but the spirit of public welfare. Therefore, we have learned a lot from New Zealand and are still learning," he said.

"New Zealand has demonstrated how a rural economy can transform a nation's destiny. [New Zealand's] strength lies in its efficient ecosystem built around agriculture.

"Traceability, food safety and compliance systems are a huge inspiration. This is a significant lesson for a large agricultural nation like India, dominated by small farmers.

"New Zealand has demonstrated through the Zespri model that even small farmers can become major market brands."

Modi said the future of India and New Zealand were intertwined, citing the space sector as an example.

"When India's Chandrayaan landed on the moon's South Pole, all of New Zealand danced that day. [It] brought us all pride," Modi said.

"Now let me tell you another thing that will make you proud. New Zealand's technology has also contributed to this success, and we are working to take this collaboration further."

Modi reserved praise for Māori traditions, noting similarities between India and New Zealand in their "commitment towards celebrating and preserving the indigenous culture".

"When I saw the haka today, for me, it represented the soul of a society," he said.

"It embodies courage, self-respect, reverence for our ancestors and a sense of the collective power of the entire community."

Earlier in the day, Modi had referenced the special place given to Māori businesses in the New Zealand-India free trade agreement in a speech to business stakeholders.

"By combining [our] shared values, we can create a new model of inclusive and sustainable trade," he said.

To the larger Indian diaspora, Modi appreciated how they contributed significantly to the progress of the country they are based in - including New Zealand.

It was something repeated by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who accompanied the Indian prime minister to the community event on Saturday evening.

"[Modi] called the Indian community here in New Zealand a living bridge between our two nations. ... Tonight ... we see that bridge in full," Luxon said, acknowledging "the enormous contributions the Kiwi Indian community makes in New Zealand".

Luxon cited a recent report that noted that Indians in New Zealand had contributed $37.3 billion, or 8.6 percent of the country's GDP, in the year to March 2025.

With Indian New Zealanders making up almost 6 percent of the country's population, the above data suggests Kiwi Indians now make an outsized economic contribution relative to their population share.

"[The Kiwi Indian] community is younger, wealthier and better educated," Luxon said. "[Kiwi Indians] have enriched our country economically, socially and culturally."

Once more calling the India trade deal "historic", Luxon said saw potential for growth.

"India is not just a country we trade with," he said.

"It is a country we grow with and, most importantly, it is a country we trust."

That trust was reflected in a joint statement released earlier on Saturday when the two countries elevated their relationship to a "strategic partnership", announcing that a joint working group on counterterrorism would be set up.

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was present in the bilateral talks between the two leaders, signifying the importance both sides placed on intelligence coordination, national security, and a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

While Modi remains largely popular among the Indian diaspora abroad, a few dozen protesters faced off against dozens of vocal Modi supporters outside Spark Arena ahead of the Indian prime minister's appearance on Saturday evening.

Separated from attendees by heavy police lines, protesters included anti-immigration groups and about a dozen people demanding an independent state of Khalistan within India.

Speaking at the business session on Saturday afternoon, Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar summed up how many Indian New Zealanders felt about Modi's visit to New Zealand.

Ravishankar, who is one of the highest profile business leaders from the community, got a chance to interact with Modi on Saturday.

"It was magical. To be able to sit with him. Of all the topics we spoke about, it was yoga," Ravishankar said.

"[And] his daily discipline around how he uses yoga to be at his best performance [to deal with] all the challenges that come with being the prime minister of the largest democracy in the world," he said.

"It's quite inspiring. I will remember it for a long time."