India and New Zealand on Saturday elevated their bilateral ties and committed to doubling two-way trade in goods and services to Rs 35,000 crore by 2030, marking a decisive shift in economic engagement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to New Zealand.
The visit comes as the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades. India and New Zealand fostered deeper ties to a Strategic Partnership and signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two countries also unveiled the India–New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030, a four-year framework aimed at broadening cooperation across various sectors, while creating institutional mechanisms to monitor progress.
The two governments said the FTA would help remove trade barriers, encourage investment and create new business opportunities. They also underscored New Zealand's potential contribution to India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision through collaboration in agriculture, skills, technology, clean energy and innovation.
Agriculture emerged as a key area of cooperation, with both sides launching an Agricultural Productivity Partnership under the FTA. The initiative will focus on improving productivity in kiwifruit, apples and honey while expanding collaboration in horticulture, forestry, animal husbandry and dairying. A separate agreement on animal husbandry and dairying was also concluded.
Beyond trade, both countries signed agreements covering tourism, disaster management and maritime cooperation. The leaders reiterated the need for direct air connectivity and discussed enhancing recognition of seafarer competency certificates to support workforce mobility and strengthen maritime industries.
The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in science, digital technologies, education and climate-resilient agriculture while strengthening partnerships through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
Against the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, the leaders emphasised resilient supply chains and uninterrupted global commerce. They expressed concern over disruptions affecting the Indo-Pacific and stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation through key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, given their significance for international trade and energy security.
With ministers and senior officials tasked with implementing the Roadmap to 2030, the visit signals a shift in India-New Zealand ties from diplomatic engagement towards a broader economic partnership anchored in trade expansion, investment and long-term strategic cooperation. |
