Too close for comfort: When Prez Mukherjee got a traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand

President Pranab Mukherjee who arrived in Auckland early on Saturday morning met Jerry Mateparae, Governor, General of New Zealand and was accorded ceremonial reception.

The Indian President is on a three-day visit to New Zealand after completing his landmark visit to Papua New Guinea.

The President inspected the Guard of Honour and witnessed cultural performance by the Maori men and women.

Source: AFP

This is for the first time that an Indian President is visiting a country in the Southern Hemisphere.

Prime Minister John Key and the leader of Opposition Andrew Little will call on him.

The President will lay a wreath at the Auckland War Memorial and address the students of Auckland University of Technology.

He will also address a Business Forum and Indian Diaspora. With a population of about 4.5 million, New Zealand historically shares close and cordial ties with India.

As many as 175, 000 persons of Indian origin have made New Zealand their permanent home.

There are about 23, 000 Indian students in New Zealand. The country has become a favourite destination for location shooting by Indian Film producers.

The Wellington City Council has submitted a proposal for establishing a sister-city relationship between Wellington and New Delhi.

To improve connectivity between the two countries, a bilateral Air Services Agreement is likely to be signed during this visit of the President.

The New Zealand Government is also keen to enhance defence cooperation with India.