Auckland, July 11 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (local time) extended greetings to the Maori community on the occasion of the Maori New Year, Matariki, drawing a cultural link between New Zealand's Matariki star cluster and India's ancient 'Kritika' constellation.

Addressing the Gala Lunch hosted in his honour by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, PM Modi congratulated the Maori community and said the shared cultural symbolism reflected the deep civilisational connections between the two countries.

PM Modi said, "I extend my heartiest congratulations to all of you on the Maori New Year, Matariki. Just as the star cluster here is named 'Matariki', as you also mentioned, it has been known in India as t...