Sri Lanka and New Zealand explored ways and means to further strengthen and deepen cooperation between the two countries. The discussions took place when Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi Milinda Moragoda met with the Foreign Minister of New Zealand Nanaia Mahuta who is on an official bilateral visit to India.
The meeting between the visiting Foreign Minister of New Zealand and the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India was held today at the High Commission of New Zealand in New Delhi.
The discussion focussed on conceptual contours for a cooperation model for smaller countries in the Indian Ocean region. Further, collaboration in the dairy sector was discussed, including possible trilateral arrangements involving Indian investors. Foreign Minister Mahuta and High Commissioner Moragoda also discussed as to how New Zealand’s experience in public financial management and public sector reform could be shared with Sri Lanka.
High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka Michael Appleton, senior officials of the New Zealand Foreign Ministry and Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi Niluka Kadurugamuwa also attended these discussions.
Minister Nanaia Mahuta is a tribal member of Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Manu and her parliamentary experience has enabled her to contribute to the collective aspirations of Māori and all New Zealanders. In 2020, she became the first woman to hold the Foreign Affairs portfolio in New Zealand. Previously, she had also been Minister of Local Government, and Associate Minister for Māori Development.
