New Delhi, 11 July (H.S.): Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh recalled former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange, stating that he played a significant role in giving fresh direction to India–New Zealand relations. He said that under Lange's leadership during the 1980s, bilateral ties gained renewed momentum and cooperation between the two countries was significantly strengthened.

In a post on social media platform X, Jairam Ramesh said that David Lange served as Prime Minister of New Zealand from July 1984 to 1989, and that his first overseas visit after assuming office was to India in October 1984. He developed a close relationship with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later shared a strong personal rapport with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Ramesh further said that David Lange's son, Roy Lange, also had a special association with India. He studied at the University of Delhi and later married Meeta Bhowmik, an Indian-origin filmmaker who is now well known in Australia.

According to Ramesh, India and New Zealand enjoyed strong cooperation during the 1950s. During that period, New Zealand assisted India in developing its dairy sector and also contributed to the establishment of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Dr Verghese Kurien, widely regarded as the Father of India's White Revolution, was sent to New Zealand on a Government of India fellowship in 1952–53, where his experiences profoundly influenced his future work.

He added that relations between the two countries slowed relatively during the 1960s and 1970s, but regained warmth after David Lange assumed office as Prime Minister. During his tenure, renowned mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary was appointed New Zealand's High Commissioner to India. In New Delhi's diplomatic enclave, one road is named after Sir Edmund Hillary, while another has been named in honour of Tenzing Norgay. Together, the two made history by becoming the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953.

Ramesh said that David Lange's tenure continues to be remembered as an important chapter in the history of India–New Zealand relations.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar