The two countries are expected to intensify discussions in coming months, with a focus on market access, investment facilitation, and cooperation in innovation-led sectors. (Photo courtesy: PickPic)
New Delhi: India and New Zealand signalled a renewed commitment to strengthening their economic and strategic partnership this week as Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal concluded a landmark visit to New Zealand, accompanied by the largest-ever Indian business delegation to the country.
The visit, organized around the India-New Zealand Business Forum in Auckland, underscored growing momentum in bilateral trade discussions and highlighted expanding opportunities for collaboration across agriculture, technology, education and emerging sectors such as drones and space technology.
The Forum was hosted by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the High Commission of India in Wellington, bringing together senior government officials, business leaders, and industry representatives from both nations.
A key highlight of the event was a fireside chat between Goyal and Todd McClay, New Zealand’s minister of trade. The discussion reaffirmed both nations’ intent to advance the long-discussed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has remained under negotiation for over a decade.
Goyal described the FTA as a “natural next step” in deepening bilateral economic relations, while McClay emphasized the potential for a “modern and mutually-beneficial agreement” that reflects shared values and economic priorities.
The meeting built on progress made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in March this year in New Delhi, where both leaders agreed to pursue a comprehensive and forward-looking trade partnership. The two sides are expected to intensify discussions in coming months, with a focus on market access, investment facilitation, and cooperation in innovation-led sectors.
Expanding Collaboration Across Sectors
During his engagements in Auckland and Rotorua, Goyal met with several prominent New Zealand business figures, including Carmen Vicelich (CEO, Valocity), Ranjay Sikka (CEO, Slumberzone), Nathan Guy (chairman, Meat Industry Association), and Tony Clifford (managing director, Pan Pac).
The meetings explored opportunities for expanding cooperation in agriculture, dairy, forestry, technology, education, tourism and sports. Both sides also identified drone and space technology as emerging frontiers for collaboration, with New Zealand’s expertise in aerospace testing complementing India’s rapid advancements following its Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission and upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
At a CEO Roundtable in Rotorua, attended by members of the Indian business delegation and leading New Zealand enterprises, Goyal underscored India’s position as a global investment destination.
He described India’s ongoing economic reforms and digital transformation as key enablers for international business partnerships and called the FTA “a symbol of friendship, trust, and shared ambition”.
Industry leaders at the roundtable noted that India’s expanding middle class and strong manufacturing base present “unprecedented opportunities” for New Zealand companies, particularly in value-added food processing, sustainable technologies, and education services.
The two sides discussed collaborations across agriculture, technology, education and emerging sectors such as drones and space tech. (Photo courtesy: PickPic)
Diaspora: The Living Bridge
In Auckland, Goyal and McClay were joined by PM Luxon at a special event with members of the Indian diaspora, where both leaders praised the community’s contributions to New Zealand’s economy and multicultural fabric.
Luxon described the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between the two nations — echoing sentiments expressed by PM Modi during his meeting with him earlier this year.
Goyal encouraged the Indian community to continue contributing to New Zealand’s development, while staying deeply connected to India, and to play an active role in fostering stronger bilateral ties.
Members of the Indian business delegation undertook site visits to Red Stag Timber, Fonterra Co-operative Group’s Dairy and Food Innovation Headquarters, and the Auckland University Innovation Hub. The visits facilitated in-depth discussions on trade facilitation, technology transfer, and joint research opportunities, particularly in sustainable forestry, dairy innovation, and academic collaboration.
Goyal’s visit is being seen as part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen partnerships across the Indo-Pacific and diversify its trade engagements with developed economies in the region.
For New Zealand, closer engagement with India — one of the world’s fastest-growing economies — offers a pathway to diversify export markets and deepen connections in emerging sectors.
Diplomatic observers say the visit has injected “fresh political will and business energy” into a relationship that has often lagged behind potential. As the two nations continue discussions on the FTA and new areas of cooperation, the visit may well mark the beginning of a new phase in India-New Zealand economic relations.