India, New Zealand to fast-track FTA, look at direct flights

The Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Honorable Christopher Luxon, is on his first official visit as premier to India from 16th to the 20th of March. The well known businessman turned politician has visited India several times. Indian Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, invited PM Luxon during the East Asia Summit in October 2024 with the objective to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss Indo-Pacific geo-strategic issues. Importantly, he was the chief guest of the 10th Raisina Dialogue in Delhi.

Luxon is accompanied by a high-level and largest-ever delegation from New Zealand to any country. Delegates include top officials, businesspersons, representatives of the community, media and cultural groups. Bilateral relations covered defense and security, trade and investment, education and sports, tourism and people-to-people ties. The two Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of bilateral documents and MoUs in various fields. One was an MOU on Defense Cooperation, another was an Authorized Economic Operator - Mutual Recognition Agreement, a third on Memorandum of Cooperation on Horticulture, fourth was Letter of Intent on Forestry, fifth was on Education Cooperation and the sixth was as a Memorandum on Cooperation in Sports.

The two Prime Ministers also announced the launch of negotiations between India and New Zealand towards a balanced and mutually beneficial free trade agreement in a time-bound manner. India also welcomed New Zealand to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, IPOI, as well as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders had highly substantive and productive discussions with several positive outcomes. Both leaders share a great rapport that helped push the agenda for an ambitious India-New Zealand partnership going forward. Secretary of MEA responded to questions from the media saying the issue of Khalistan did come up where India pointed to activities of anti-India elements in their countries and their abuse of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms to glorify terrorism, and to threaten attacks against Indian diplomats or Parliament or events in India. The Government of New Zealand took into account India’s concerns.

On mobility, both sides agreed on two things. One is to move forward our FTA discussions in a time-bound manner and at the same time also take forward our discussions on mobility for skilled professionals. On agriculture, especially on forestry, where New Zealand is very strong, technical cooperation and capacity building in forestry was discussed. In horticulture, an MOU signed covers fruits, especially kiwi fruit production in India. Another facet of cooperation is Sports - training of Indian sport persons and sport medicine. About 72,000 New Zealand tourists visited India from a population of 5.5 million. About 156,000 Indian tourists went to New Zealand last year. Both sides agreed to encourage direct flights between India and New Zealand also as a longstanding request from the diaspora and business persons. India and New Zealand have now an open skies policy for the private sector airlines to act on the potential of direct flights.

Prime Minister Luxon has said one of New Zealand priorities is to enhance their diplomatic presence in India and will increase the strength of the embassy in India in a major way. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed presence of New Zealand universities and campuses in India.