India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, Muktesh Pardeshi, has been additionally accredited to the Cook Islands beginning this month.
Though India and the Cook Islands established diplomatic relations in 1998, the Cook Islands was accredited to the Indian High Commission in Suva, Fiji since 1999, when the office in Fiji was established. Since November 8, it is now accredited to the Indian High Commission in New Zealand.
High Commissioner Pardeshi said he was looking forward to pay an official visit to the Cook Islands to present his credentials and establish contacts with the political leadership, civil society and the small Indian community.
The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. Cook Islanders New Zealand citizens, but have additional status of Cook Islands nationals, which other New Zealand citizens do not possess.
Located to the east of New Zealand, the country that comprises 15 islands spread across a wide swathe of the South Pacific Ocean is a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders, Australians and Americans and has some of the most picturesque islands known worldwide for their natural beauty.
New Zealand looks after the island nation’s defence and foreign affairs, but these responsibilities are exercised in consultation with the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands have been an active member of the Pacific Community since 1980.
Cook Islands capital is on the island of Rarotonga, which also has its international airport and is the main population centre. More Cook Islanders live in New Zealand than they do in the Cook Islands.
In addition to the Cook Islands, the Indian High Commission in New Zealand is also accredited to the Pacific Island nations of Samoa and Niue. Niue, too, like the Cook Islands is a tiny state that is in free association with New Zealand. Despite their small populations, persons of Indian origin do reside in those countries mainly for work or business reasons.