Modi's visit to New Zealand should be inclusive. Don't keep us out !
The Issue
To
The High Commissioner of India and the Indian diaspora in New Zealand
Subject: Request for inclusivity and transparency around Indian Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to New Zealand in July.
Your Excellency and the 400,000 members of the Indian diaspora
The upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to New Zealand is a momentous occasion for New Zealand and especially for the huge Indian diaspora. However, concerns have been raised about certain sections of the diaspora being keep out of the event.
A small group of people led by a prominent Kiwi Indian businessman have hijacked the event and are using the occasion for influence peddling and self-promotion. If they are acting on the direction of the Indian High Commission and the MEA then we have no complaints.
However the names of some of these individuals have been raised in the New Zealand Parliament for having been involved in malfeasance and immigration irregularities. Some of them have also been accused of money-laundering and lending support to extremists elements operating within New Zealand. The MEA is seized of the matter and a few years ago an investigation was held by a high-ranking MEA Secretary into the misuse of Government of India properties. Following this investigation some of these individuals were removed from office. However with the issue having died down, these same individuals have now come back to assert their authority.
These individuals have side-lined registered and democratically elected community organisations and have turned the visit of PM Modi into a private gymkhana club-type operation. The grassroots diaspora is not even aware of PM Modi’s impending visit. If this is what the MEA, the High Commission and Mr Vijay Chauthaiwale of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Bharatiya Janata Party want, then rest assured we have no complains.
However if the MEA and the High Commission feel that the visit could be more inclusive we request that any “organising” committee should be inclusive of community leaders and use a ticketing registration website so that the Indian diaspora has an equal chance to attend.
We want to give Mr Modi a very grand welcome in which the entire diaspora is involved. We don’t want this historic visit to be an influence-peddling event.
Please sign this petition so that our voice is heard.
132
The Issue
To
The High Commissioner of India and the Indian diaspora in New Zealand
Subject: Request for inclusivity and transparency around Indian Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to New Zealand in July.
Your Excellency and the 400,000 members of the Indian diaspora
The upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to New Zealand is a momentous occasion for New Zealand and especially for the huge Indian diaspora. However, concerns have been raised about certain sections of the diaspora being keep out of the event.
A small group of people led by a prominent Kiwi Indian businessman have hijacked the event and are using the occasion for influence peddling and self-promotion. If they are acting on the direction of the Indian High Commission and the MEA then we have no complaints.
However the names of some of these individuals have been raised in the New Zealand Parliament for having been involved in malfeasance and immigration irregularities. Some of them have also been accused of money-laundering and lending support to extremists elements operating within New Zealand. The MEA is seized of the matter and a few years ago an investigation was held by a high-ranking MEA Secretary into the misuse of Government of India properties. Following this investigation some of these individuals were removed from office. However with the issue having died down, these same individuals have now come back to assert their authority.
These individuals have side-lined registered and democratically elected community organisations and have turned the visit of PM Modi into a private gymkhana club-type operation. The grassroots diaspora is not even aware of PM Modi’s impending visit. If this is what the MEA, the High Commission and Mr Vijay Chauthaiwale of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Bharatiya Janata Party want, then rest assured we have no complains.
However if the MEA and the High Commission feel that the visit could be more inclusive we request that any “organising” committee should be inclusive of community leaders and use a ticketing registration website so that the Indian diaspora has an equal chance to attend.
We want to give Mr Modi a very grand welcome in which the entire diaspora is involved. We don’t want this historic visit to be an influence-peddling event.
Please sign this petition so that our voice is heard.
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Petition created on 27 May 2026