By IANS
Auckland : New Zealand Friday named Rupert Holborow, co-director of the Asia division in the foreign ministry, as its new high commissioner to India.
Holborow, also a senior official for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) affairs, will be accredited to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal and will take charge in December.
He replaces Graeme Waters, who will return to Wellington.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said: “India’s rapidly growing economy, expertise in science and technology, and increasing geo-political importance makes it a priority relationship for New Zealand.
“There is also tremendous scope for increased business interaction, and the recent India-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee made progress towards examining prospects for a free trade agreement,” he added.
Indians, he added, were the second largest Asian group in New Zealand.
“They make a valuable contribution to our society, and will play an important role in broadening bilateral relations, including the growth of our trade and economic ties.”
Holborow has previously been posted to Jakarta and twice to Canberra.
New Zealand’s exports to India have grown substantially in recent years, and reached $278 million (357 million NZ dollars) in 2007, up 85 percent as compared to 2004.