New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, currently on an official visit to India, engaged in a friendly game of cricket with children in Delhi alongside former New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor, reinforcing the strong sporting ties between the two nations.
"Nothing unites New Zealand and India more than our shared love of cricket," Luxon remarked in a post on social media platform X, underscoring the deep-rooted passion for the sport in both countries.
India and New Zealand have had notable encounters in cricket recently. While India triumphed over the Kiwis in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai, New Zealand ended India's unbeaten home run in Test cricket last year by securing a series victory.
Beyond cricket, Luxon's visit also focused on strengthening educational cooperation. At an event at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, the Prime Minister reaffirmed New Zealand's commitment to academic collaboration.
The event highlighted the New Zealand Centre, an initiative uniting all New Zealand universities in partnership with IIT Delhi.
A significant announcement made during the event was a New Zealand Dollar 60,000 partial scholarship package under the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) 2025, aimed at supporting Indian students.
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In addition, a Virtual Internship Programme was launched, providing 30 IIT Delhi students with an opportunity to intern remotely with New Zealand companies, thereby gaining cross-border industry experience and insights into the country’s innovative work culture.
The gathering also celebrated joint research ventures between Indian and New Zealand institutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, disaster resilience, and advanced engineering.
A notable project involving the University of Canterbury and IIT Delhi is utilising geospatial data for climate change mitigation, aligning with India’s national sustainability objectives.
Luxon, speaking on the importance of academic ties, stated, "New Zealand and India share a reciprocal education partnership, built on academic excellence and cultural exchange. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected world, we remain committed to equipping students with the skills needed to succeed on the global stage. Through the initiatives announced today, we are fostering deeper connections and empowering future leaders and innovators."
IIT Delhi Director Prof Rangan Banerjee also highlighted the collaboration, saying, "At IIT Delhi, we are dedicated to fostering global academic collaborations that drive innovation and research excellence. Our partnership with New Zealand through the New Zealand Centre has facilitated knowledge exchange, joint research, and student mobility. By focusing on areas like sustainability and disaster resilience, we are addressing real-world challenges with a shared commitment to innovation. The introduction of the Virtual Internship Programme and expanded research collaborations will further enhance global exposure and industry experience for our students."
The event was attended by members of the New Zealand delegation, IIT Delhi faculty, and notable alumni.
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