New Delhi: The chief of the naval staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, was accorded a traditional Maori Powhiri welcome at Te Taua Moana Marae in Auckland on Monday, marking the beginning of his official visit to New Zealand. The ceremony at HMNZS Philomel, the home of the New Zealand navy, reflected the cultural traditions of the country and the growing warmth in India-New Zealand ties.
The Powhiri is a traditional Maori welcome that represents hospitality, respect and goodwill towards visitors. The Navy described the ceremony as a uniquely New Zealand beginning to Admiral Swaminathan’s visit, which is focused on strengthening maritime and defence cooperation between the two countries.
The Navy chief was later accorded a guard of honour by the New Zealand navy at HMNZS Philomel. The ceremony also highlighted the shared naval history between the two countries through the historic 6-inch turret of HMNZS Achilles, a warship that later served with the Indian Navy as INS Delhi.
Adm Swaminathan is visiting New Zealand to hold talks with senior New Zealand navy and New Zealand defence leaders. The discussions will focus on operational cooperation, information sharing, training and professional exchanges, while his programme also includes visits to key operational and training establishments.
During his visit, Adm Swaminathan also interacted with Indian high commissioner, Muanpuii Saiawi and consul general, Madan Mohan Sethi. The Indian high commission said his visit comes at a time when India-New Zealand relations have been elevated and maritime cooperation between the two countries is being strengthened.
The visit is expected to give greater momentum to practical cooperation between both navies. Closer engagement in training, information sharing and operational activities can help both countries build stronger maritime links and contribute to stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The traditional Maori welcome and the historic INS Delhi connection therefore offered a glimpse of both the past and future of India-New Zealand naval relations. Admiral Swaminathan’s meetings during the visit will now focus on building on that relationship through sustained and practical maritime cooperation.
The visit comes after India and New Zealand recently gave their bilateral relationship a major boost. During prime minister, Narendra Modi, visit to New Zealand in July, the two countries elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including defence and maritime security.
The two countries have also recently concluded a maritime cooperation arrangement, creating a broader framework for practical maritime cooperation between their navies. The arrangement is expected to support greater interaction, information sharing, training and other areas of naval engagement.
Adm Swaminathan’s visit follows his engagements in Australia, making it part of a wider Navy push to strengthen maritime partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. In Australia, he met Australian navy chief Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley and chief of the Australian defence force, Admiral Mark Hammond to discuss maritime cooperation, interoperability and operational engagement.
Adm Swaminathan’s discussions with vice Admiral Buckley also covered opportunities linked to joint naval exercises planned for 2027. His Australia engagements included discussions on areas such as training, professional exchanges and greater cooperation between the two maritime forces.