New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to India, Patrick Rata, has kicked off his tenure with a fresh and engaging video series titled “Dil se Dilli” (Delhi from the heart).
This video series seeks to deepen the connections between India and New Zealand, with Rata exploring collaboration opportunities while also experiencing India’s diverse culture.
The “Dil se Dilli” series launched with Rata introducing himself at New Delhi’s iconic India Gate, greeting viewers in Hindi and expressing his admiration for Delhi’s vibrant and dynamic spirit.
In his opening episode, Rata highlighted the importance of fostering high-level engagement, noting that India’s relationship with New Zealand holds strategic significance for both nations.
Rata’s series highlights other areas of mutual interest, including education and tourism, where he expressed New Zealand’s desire to welcome more Indian students and tourists.
Rata featured India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI), which plays a vital role in trade discussions, and took a ride in an electric rickshaw to Lodhi Art District to showcase “The Sacrosanct Whole,” a mural by New Zealand artist Aaron Glasson.
The series shows Rata embracing India’s local culture and culinary scene as he visits Dilli Haat, exploring cultural crafts and drawing parallels between Māori and Indian traditions, such as the Māori “Tokotoko” carving and Indian walking sticks.
Through the “Dil se Dilli” series, Rata’s charm and genuine interest in Indian culture have won him a warm reception from the Indian public, and the series has been lauded as a digital diplomacy success by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Rata succeeded David Pine earlier this year, has a robust diplomatic background. His previous roles include Acting High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Ambassador to Italy, and Permanent Representative to several UN agencies in Rome, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Rata, who holds a Master’s degree from the University of Auckland, is accompanied in India by his lawyer wife, Karen, and they have two children, Justin and Ashley. Now, he’s turning his diplomatic experience and curiosity towards strengthening New Zealand’s ties with India.
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