Governor-General to make State Visit to India

The Governor-General, Hon Anand Satyanand, is to make a State Visit to India later this month.

The Governor-General and Mrs Susan Satyanand will visit India from September 8—14, visiting New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

The visit was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong and developing relationship between New Zealand and India, he said.

"India is the worlds' largest democracy and has one of the fastest growing economies in Asia.  There is already significant mutual trade between New Zealand and India and there is considerable potential to increase that even further.

"Our two countries also have much in common, including use of the English language, a Westminster parliamentary democracy, a common law-based legal system, Commonwealth ties and sporting affiliations in cricket and hockey.

"Those ties are underpinned by the significant community of New Zealanders of Indian origin who have made their home here.  While I was born and bred in New Zealand, it is a great honour to return to the homeland of my grandparents, representing my country as Governor-General of New Zealand."

The Governor-General will arrive in New Delhi on September 8 and will receive a ceremonial welcome from the President of India, HE Srimati Pratibha Patil, the following day.  The President will also host the Governor-General to a State Banquet at the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

While in New Delhi, the Governor-General will also meet the Vice-President, Hon Sri Mohammad Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Hon Dr Manmohan Singh, the Chief Justice, Sri K.G. Balakrishnan,  and other ministers and key politicians.

On September 10, the Governor-General will visit the Commonwealth War Graves site in New Delhi before heading to Jawaharlal Nehru University where he will give a speech on bilateral relations between New Zealand and India.

On September 11, the Governor-General will fly to Mumbai in the western State of Maharashtra, spending two days in the city.  While in Mumbai, he will attend a tourism event organised in liaison with Tourism New Zealand and visit an Indian company that is selling New Zealand software.  He will also attend a State Banquet hosted by the State Governor, Hon Sanayangba Chubatoshi Jamir.

On September 13, the Governor-General will fly to Hyderabad in the southern State of Andra Pradesh.  While in Hyderabad, he will hold talks with the Chief Minister Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and attend a State Banquet hosted by the Governor, Hon Narayan Dutt Tiwari. He will also visit businesses in the Hyderabad and deliver a speech to the Indian School of Business on economic reform in New Zealand.

The Governor-General and Mrs Satyanand will be accompanied by the Official Secretary at Government House and an Aide-de-Camp.  The New Zealand Police will also provide security personnel.

While the Governor-General is overseas from September 7 to 15, the Chief Justice, Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias will act as Administrator of the Government.

For further enquiries contact: Antony Paltridge, Government House on 04-382-0827 or 021 470 583