Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi displayed a 25-year-old scarf gifted during his first visit to New Zealand at a community event in Auckland [1].
The gesture highlighted the long-standing people-to-people ties between the two nations and illustrated the lasting personal impression the prime minister's early-career visit left on him [1].
Modi said to a gathering of the Indian diaspora during an official two-day visit that took place on Feb. 22-23, 2026 [2]. During the event, the prime minister recounted the memory associated with the garment to emphasize the emotional connection between India and New Zealand.
"I still have this scarf; it reminds me of the love and warmth I received in New Zealand 25 years ago," Modi said [1].
The event was marked by high energy from the diaspora community. The prime minister noted the significance of the crowd's reception, which included chants of "Modi-Modi" and the singing of the song "Hum Safal Honge" [2].
"The community’s chants of ‘Modi-Modi’ and the song ‘Hum Safal Honge’ show the deep bond we share," Modi said [2].
The visit included a ceremonial welcome and high-level talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon [2]. By centering the community event on a personal memento from 25 years ago, Modi aimed to bridge the gap between official state diplomacy and the cultural ties maintained by the diaspora [1].
The scarf, which is 25 years old [1], served as a physical symbol of the continuity of relations between the two countries across different stages of the prime minister's political career.
“"I still have this scarf; it reminds me of the love and warmth I received in New Zealand 25 years ago."”
By emphasizing a personal artifact from 25 years ago, Modi is utilizing 'soft power' to strengthen bilateral relations. This approach shifts the narrative from purely economic or political agreements to a shared human history, signaling to the Indian diaspora that they are central to New Zealand's strategic partnership with India.
