Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to New Zealand entered its second day with a formal welcome ceremony in Auckland, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour in the presence of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Following the ceremonial welcome, Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Luxon. The discussions covered trade, investment, economic cooperation and regional partnership, among other issues.
During the bilateral meeting, the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was highlighted as a significant development in relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi said the agreement extends beyond trade cooperation and represents mutual trust, partnership and long-term economic collaboration between India and New Zealand.
Prime Minister Modi said the visit provides an opportunity to give fresh momentum to bilateral relations. He also expressed satisfaction that an Indian Prime Minister was visiting New Zealand on an official visit after nearly four decades, describing it as the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the two countries.
The Prime Minister thanked the New Zealand government and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, stating that their government and team played a notable role in finalising the Free Trade Agreement within a short period. He described the agreement as a "historic milestone" in the economic relationship between the two countries.
India and New Zealand have cooperated for many years in education, agriculture, science, technology, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed promoting investment, strengthening supply chains, innovation, the digital economy and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement was signed in April this year. The agreement aims to facilitate trade, increase investment and improve market access between the two countries. Under the agreement, import duties on nearly 95 per cent of products entering India from New Zealand will be reduced or eliminated. It also provides duty-free access for nearly 57 per cent of New Zealand's exports from the initial stage.
The agreement also provides for the elimination of duties on most products exported from India to New Zealand, with the objective of enhancing the competitiveness of Indian exporters. India has, however, kept dairy products, sugar, apples and certain other sensitive agricultural commodities outside the scope of the agreement to safeguard the interests of its domestic farmers and agricultural sector.
Welcoming Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described India as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies. He said the expanding partnership between India and New Zealand would play an important role in creating economic opportunities, prosperity and long-term security for the people of both countries.
Prime Minister Luxon also said that India and New Zealand remain committed to advancing shared democratic values, a rules-based global order, and a common vision of free and fair trade.
