Chandigarh Museum Strengthens India-New Zealand Ties Through Nature

The Museum of Trees in Chandigarh is fostering a unique connection between India and New Zealand through its innovative approach to preserving culturally significant flora. Opened to the public in 2020, the museum showcases several hundred species, including genetically cloned trees that hold spiritual significance for Sikhism. Curated by retired Indian Administrative Service officer D.S. Jaspal and backed by the Chandigarh Nature and Health Society and India’s Ministry of Culture, this project is becoming a vital bridge between the two nations.

Currently, Aman Jaspal, Co-Founder and Assistant Curator of the museum, is visiting New Zealand as part of a high-powered business delegation led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. His mission is to enhance cooperation between India and New Zealand in the fields of sustainability, culture, and investment. During his visit, Jaspal presented a copy of *Tryst with Trees*, a book detailing the museum’s mission, highlighting its role in cultural exchange.

Connecting Cultures Through Biodiversity

The Museum of Trees has expanded its vision with the introduction of the “Kiwi Grove,” which features native New Zealand species such as kauri, totara, and black beech. In a symbolic act of friendship, a manuka sapling was planted at the museum in late October 2023. This initiative signifies not only ecological collaboration but also aims to intertwine biodiversity with cultural memories and strengthen people-to-people ties between both countries.

Sameena Jaspal, a co-founder of the museum with deep personal and professional connections to New Zealand, has played a crucial role in the development of the Kiwi Grove. The museum employs advanced propagation techniques, including plant breeding and quarantine facilities, enabling the nurturing of southern hemisphere species in Indian soil.

The cultural exchanges represented by the Kiwi Grove serve a broader strategic purpose. They help foster goodwill and pave the way for research and conservation partnerships, showcasing each country’s natural strengths. New Zealand excels in forestry and agriculture, while India is rich in biodiversity and innovation.

Economic Foundations and Future Cooperation

These personal and cultural connections align with the ongoing negotiations for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which began in March 2025. This agreement emphasizes labor mobility, education, and cultural exchange as fundamental pillars, with initiatives like the Kiwi Grove reinforcing the social foundation for stronger economic ties.

Despite its modest size, the Kiwi Grove stands as a powerful metaphor for the growing relationship between India and New Zealand. It represents a shared space where diplomacy flourishes, and trade discussions find tangible, human, and ecological connections.

Aman and Sameena Jaspal also operate an immigration consultancy in Chandigarh, facilitating the movement between India and New Zealand. Their efforts exemplify how personal initiatives can nurture collaboration and connection between the two nations, reinforcing the importance of both cultural and economic partnerships.

The Museum of Trees not only preserves the unique flora of both countries but also serves as a living testament to the enduring friendship between India and New Zealand. As these nations work towards greater cooperation, the museum stands as a symbol of hope for a sustainable and connected future.