New Zealand Hails Kiwi-Indians in Search of India Pivot

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India, New Zealand to Fast-Track Trade Pact, Deepen P2P Connect

By TRH News Desk

New Delhi, March 17: India and New Zealand on Monday agreed to launch Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. India and New Zealand inked roadmap for “a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial trade agreement to achieve deeper economic integration”.

Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon showered praise on ‘Kiwi-Indians’. Luxon said that Indian immigrants are key to the economy of his country.

“The Indian community is the third-largest ethnic group in New Zealand, India is our largest source of skilled migrants, and our second largest source of international students,” said Luxon.

He stated that “Indian-Kiwis make a massive contribution to New Zealand and I’m proud of what this community does for our country”. “I’ve brought along a senior delegation of community and business leaders here to India – the largest ever group to accompany a New Zealand PM on a foreign trip,” he added.

Luxon also stated that “through trade that we can boost the economies of both our countries, providing more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis and Indians”. “India and New Zealand have a dynamic, multi-faceted relationship, with 300,000 Kiwi-Indians at its heart,” said Luxon. He added that “India and New Zealand share a goal of a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific”.

Luxon also said that “strengthening New Zealand’s relationship with India is a key priority for” his government.
“The Leaders agreed that a comprehensive trade agreement offers a significant opportunity to enhance trade and economic cooperation,” the joint statement of India and New Zealand said after the Luxon-Modi bilateral meeting at the Hyderabad House.

Both the leaders committed to designate senior representatives to steer negotiations to resolution at earliest. “The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO-MRA) under the aegis of the Customs Cooperation Arrangement (CCA) signed in 2024, which would facilitate easier movement of goods between the two countries by our respective trusted traders through close cooperation between customs authorities, thereby boosting bilateral trade,” said the joint statement.

It also stated that the “Leaders welcomed new cooperation on horticulture and forestry, including: the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Horticulture which would enhance bilateral cooperation by promoting knowledge and research exchanges, development of post-harvest and marketing infrastructure; and the signing of a Letter of Intent on Forestry Cooperation that encourages policy dialogues and technical exchanges.”

The joint statement also spotlighted tourism for “economic growth, increasing business engagements and generating greater understanding between people of the two countries”.

“They welcomed the growing flows of tourists between India and New Zealand. They appreciated the update to the India-New Zealand Air Services Agreement and agreed to encourage their carriers for commencement of direct (non-stop) flight operations between the two countries,” added the joint statement.

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