Auckland, July 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will significantly strengthen bilateral economic ties by expanding market access, boosting investment, enhancing services and promoting talent mobility between the two countries.
Speaking during an interaction with leading CEOs and business leaders in Auckland, Modi said the shared democratic values, diversity and commitment to sustainable development provide a strong foundation for a future-oriented economic partnership.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came shortly after his wide-ranging bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, during which the two countries announced 18 key outcomes, including the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.
Modi, who arrived in New Zealand on Friday as part of his three-nation tour, described the visit as a milestone, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in four decades.
Calling the recently concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement a landmark initiative, Modi said it would inject new momentum into bilateral trade and investment.
“A stronger economic partnership between India and New Zealand will create new opportunities for businesses, innovators and our youth,” the Prime Minister said.
He noted that the agreement would facilitate greater cooperation in:
- Market access
- Investment
- Services
- Technology
- Talent mobility
Highlighting India’s economic strengths, Modi said the country offers immense opportunities for New Zealand businesses due to:
- Sustained high economic growth
- A young and skilled workforce
- Expanding middle-class consumer market
- Rapid digital transformation
- Modern infrastructure development
- Ongoing economic reforms
He invited New Zealand companies to invest in sectors including:
- Infrastructure
- Civil aviation
- Logistics
- Clean energy
- Urban mobility
- Water management
- Waste management
- Digital economy
The Prime Minister also called for stronger collaboration between the private sectors of both countries in:
- Start-ups
- Fintech
- Innovation
- Emerging technologies
He said New Zealand’s expertise in dairy science, horticulture and forestry, combined with India’s large consumer market, agri-tech ecosystem and food processing capabilities, could help create globally competitive food value chains.
Modi urged businesses from both countries to deepen commercial partnerships and work towards the shared goal of doubling bilateral trade to NZD 7 billion (approximately ₹35,000 crore) by 2030.
He expressed confidence that the India-New Zealand economic partnership would emerge as a model for inclusive, sustainable and innovation-driven trade.
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