Photo: AFP
The Asia New Zealand Foundation has established a $350,000 fund to help bolster its work in India.
The India Fund will cover a new entrepreneurship programme aimed at bringing together top innovators from New Zealand to India.
It will also fund the establishment of a young leaders' dialogue to complement the annual backchannel diplomacy dialogues the foundation has undertaken in recent years.
Suz Jessep, chief executive of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, said the fund would also support the scaling-up of the organisation's existing activities in India.
These include artist residencies and curator visits, sports connections, growing emerging business connections and ongoing research into the New Zealand-India relationship.
"It's important we deepen our knowledge, confidence and connections in India so that we're equipped to thrive in this important part of the world and can work together to navigate shared challenges," Jessep said. "There is no question that India is a country on the rise, and the decisions it takes will be consequential to New Zealand's future."
"Growing our ties with India is a collective effort," Jessep said, detailing the reasons behind the establishment of the fund.
"For many years, New Zealanders of Indian heritage have played a huge role connecting our people and businesses," she said.
"Business chambers have forged linkages and helped others to grow in India. Artists and sports teams have exhibited and competed in India and shared their experiences with others. Tourism and education also continue to make a big contribution to building relations," she said. "But our research shows more work is needed to deepen our understanding of India."
Jessep is accompanying Foreign Minister Winston Peters on his trip to India this week.
