Leadership Network member gets to Know India on international youth delegation
Leadership Network member Kritika Selach describes visiting India late last year as the New Zealand’s delegate on the Know India Programme—an Indian government initiative that brings together young members of India’s diaspora communities from around the world to reconnect with their heritage. Travelling to Delhi, Pune and Agra with delegates from 17 countries, the programme not only provided Kritika with insights into India's thriving economy, culture and developmental initiatives but provided her with international friendships she describes as her new "global family".
Right: Kritika with Amb. Raj Srivastava, dean of Sushma Swaraj Insitute of Foreign Service. Bottom left: Kritika at Election Commission of India (ECI)
I was preparing to wind down at the end of 2025 and ease into the holiday season when I received the call: I had been selected as the New Zealand delegate for the 84th Know India Programme.
Nine days later, I was on a flight to Delhi.
I applied for the Know India Programme after hearing so much about India’s rise as a global power and the growing discussions around New Zealand–India relations at the time. Having visited India earlier in the year for a conference, I was left with a strong desire to return and learn more from within the country itself — to better understand the grassroots development efforts driving India’s transformation.
Stepping off the plane, Delhi greets you with an unmistakable intensity, a sensory symphony of distant honking and the ceaseless hum of a city that never pauses. However, this energy came with a stark reality: the Delhi pollution. During our stay, we navigated periods of air pollution when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 'code red,' requiring us to wear masks when moving between appointments and travelling.
I didn't just see India, I gained a global family that continues to sharpen my perspective on what it means to be part of the modern Indian diaspora.
Kritika
I visited India several times while growing up, though those trips were usually focused on family weddings in my parents' hometown of Jalandhar, Punjab. More recently, I returned in March 2025 as part of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's Track II Dialogue Delegation for the Raisina Dialogue. Even in the short window since that visit, the sheer speed of India’s growth, from the digital payment transformation to the overarching national vision, remains profound. Amid this rapid modernisation, India hasn't lost its rooted value of hospitality; that warmth is something I always hold close to my heart.
As a proud Kiwi-Indian born and raised in New Zealand, I have always held a deep connection to India, but the Know India programme felt like a true "full circle" moment. Over 21 back-to-back days, I joined representatives from 17 different countries to explore the multifaceted layers of modern India, exchange global perspectives, connect with our heritage and understand India's vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
As a graduate of Global Studies with a background in public relations, I was eager to witness India’s transformation firsthand, specifically the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 - a roadmap to see India become a fully developed nation by 2047. I wanted to understand how a nation so rooted in antiquity is simultaneously a leader in modern international relations.
Kritika at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology head office in Delhi and Niti Aayog
A significant highlight was a seminar by Ambassador Raj Srivastava at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service. He illustrated how Ancient Bharat and Vedic scriptures are not just history, but the very fabric of India’s modern foreign policy.
For me, this resonated deeply with life here in New Zealand. We, too, weave indigenous Māori values such as Whanaungatanga (relationship-building) and Kotahitanga (unity and collaboration) into our national identity to focus on intergenerational wellbeing. Seeing this parallel, where Bharat’s ancient wisdom guides future growth, was a profound and eye-opening moment.
Our time in Delhi also included visits to organisations such as the Reserve Bank of India and the Ministry of Electronics & IT. We learned how India is leading the global stage in digital transactions, driven primarily by the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) system. I saw firsthand how India’s game-changing digital money model has become a powerful enabler of inclusion, efficiency, and scale.
In my work in New Zealand, I have always championed a ‘bottom-up’ approach to different levels of engagement. Therefore, it was inspiring to see how NITI Aayog, promotes cooperative federalism, ensuring the local state involvement remains the heartbeat of national economic policy.
Parallel to this digital world, I had great exposure to health and wellness through visits to the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, grounding me in the principles of holistic longevity and mental clarity. It was a reminder that India's strength lies in its ability to innovate without losing its soul.
Kritika: "India’s art and the way its culture is woven into architecture "
Every Know India delegation includes a state visit to explore a specific region; for us, that was Pune. Often called the "Oxford of the East," I was intrigued to see how Maharashtrian culture blends seamlessly with a cosmopolitan pulse. Our academic visits, including the Savitribai Phule Pune University and the new Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) campus, showcased a region at the forefront of India's intellectual future.
India’s art and the way its culture is woven into architecture were evident in spiritual visits to the Akshardham Temple and Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib in Delhi. During our visit to Pune, we explored the Pataleshwar Cave Temple and Aga Khan Palace. Of course, a crowning moment was my first-time visit to the Taj Mahal. Standing before one of the wonders of the world felt like stepping into a living poem, a breathtaking monument to love, carved in white marble, that truly defies time.
Beyond the official briefings, there was a gift of community. I never thought I would have friends from different corners across the globe. I made some lifelong friendships and connections; we are all still in touch, even months later, and we schedule Zoom calls every few months to catch up. We celebrate each other's successes and achievements as well. It is a testament to how much your world expands when you travel; I didn't just see India, I gained a global family that continues to sharpen my perspective on what it means to be part of the modern Indian diaspora.
Left, the New IIIT Campus in Pune. Top Right, Savitribhai Phule Pune University and bottom right, Kritika giving speech at the Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad (ARSP) the Indian Council for International Co-operation
What I have seen is a nation that refuses to be defined by a single lens. Immersing myself in India’s ‘ways of knowing’ has added a new dimension to my global outlook. This multifaceted reality felt particularly timely as, while I was on the ground in India, New Zealand and India successfully concluded negotiations on a historic Free Trade Agreement on 22 December 2025.
Seeing this partnership solidify in real-time was a powerful reminder of our shared momentum. I have returned to New Zealand not just with memories, but with a sharpened perspective on how to bridge our two nations and my two identities.
As I look toward the future, I am convinced that the bridge between Aotearoa and Bharat is built on shared values of heritage, innovation, and a collective vision for future generations.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network equips the next generation of Kiwi leaders to excel in Asia. We provide members with the connections, knowledge and confidence to lead New Zealand’s future relationship with the region.
