Auckland, July 11 -- Highlighting a deep cultural dimension to expanding bilateral relations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday stated that traditional medicine, indigenous cultural exchanges, and stronger people-to-people ties will form a fundamental pillar of the freshly elevated India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership.

Addressing a special media briefing in Auckland, Secretary (East) in the MEA, Rudrendra Tandon, explained that both nations are actively working to build on core cultural similarities--particularly a shared, deep-rooted reverence for indigenous traditions and nature.

"Traditional medicine and celebrating indigenous cultures, and people-to-people connect will be an important underpinning of the relation...