India (Commonwealth Union)_ In a significant diplomatic development, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed strong support for India’s bid to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting the growing importance of India in global affairs, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Luxon made the statement during his address at the Raisina Dialogue, an annual conference attended by international leaders, diplomats, and policy experts. His remarks came in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the dialogue alongside him. The New Zealand leader emphasized India’s pivotal role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific, a region that is witnessing increasing geopolitical tensions and strategic competition, especially with China’s assertiveness.
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“I believe India has a significant role to play in the Indo-Pacific. Its size, its geo-strategic importance, and its influence in this increasingly multi-polar world give India the autonomy to drive its own destiny,” Luxon said, stressing that countries like India are key to maintaining peace and stability in the region. He firmly supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UNSC, advocating for a reformed council that reflects the contemporary power dynamics. Luxon’s endorsement of India’s UNSC membership is part of a broader diplomatic vision for the Indo-Pacific, where New Zealand is working to secure its national interests while fostering closer ties with regional partners like India. The Prime Minister stated that New Zealand’s strategic approach in the region is built around partnerships with nations that play central roles in global security and prosperity, with India being a vital ally.
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“In a world that is becoming increasingly multipolar, India’s contributions are essential. New Zealand looks forward to strengthening its relationship with India as we work together to advance our shared interests in the Indo-Pacific,” Luxon added. He further emphasized the importance of a “rules-based order” and rejected the notion that “might makes right,” a direct reference to China’s growing influence in the region. At the Raisina Dialogue, Luxon also touched upon New Zealand’s broader approach to regional cooperation. “There is no prosperity without security,” he stated, underscoring the interconnectedness of economic growth and regional stability. The Prime Minister highlighted New Zealand’s efforts to support other Pacific nations in enhancing their capacity to make independent decisions free from external pressure.
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Further underlining New Zealand’s commitment to regional peace and stability, Luxon expressed admiration for the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its central role in promoting economic development and peace in the Indo-Pacific. He also reaffirmed New Zealand’s strong alignment with like-minded nations, including India, in strengthening defense cooperation and fostering an open and prosperous regional environment. Both Luxon and Modi discussed the evolving security dynamics of the Indo-Pacific during their bilateral talks earlier in the day. A joint statement issued afterward reiterated their commitment to an open, inclusive, and stable Indo-Pacific, where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. They also reaffirmed their commitment to upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and emphasized the peaceful resolution of disputes.
While New Zealand has no intention of joining the Quad—the strategic grouping of the US, Japan, India, and Australia— Luxon described the Quad as an “important vehicle” to promote a stable and secure Indo-Pacific. He acknowledged India’s crucial role in advancing the Quad’s objectives and indicated New Zealand’s readiness to support its initiatives. The continued support from New Zealand underscores the growing international backing for India’s quest for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, which remains a key element of India’s diplomatic priorities. As geopolitical tensions rise, India’s role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific will only become more significant, making its inclusion in a reformed UNSC even more crucial.
