In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Friday announced the launch of trade negotiations with India, underscoring the South Asian nation’s importance to New Zealand’s prosperity, security, and society.
Addressing the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) Summit 2025 in Auckland, Luxon described India as a “huge economic opportunity” and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to deepening engagement with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
“India is a country of huge importance to New Zealand’s prosperity, security and society. And India provides huge economic opportunity for Kiwis too,” said Luxon.
“This week, we’ve begun trade negotiations with India in an effort to grow both of our economies. When we do that, we create jobs, lift wages and put more money in people’s back pockets.”
Luxon, who recently visited India, said his primary focus was helping New Zealanders with cost-of-living pressures and that expanding trade would be pivotal in achieving that goal.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
On the sidelines of the event, India’s Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, met PM Luxon and other top Kiwi leaders. In a post on X, Margherita said:
“Honoured to call on Rt Hon @chrisluxonmp, New Zealand PM, on the sidelines of INZBC event. Explored ways to take forward the India-New Zealand partnership in strengthening our bilateral ties across various sectors.”
Margherita also addressed the summit alongside New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, highlighting the theme “Boardroom to Border: Leadership Dialogue”, emphasizing the need for collaboration beyond corporate boardrooms and into regional development.
Key Ministerial Talks
A day prior, Margherita held discussions with New Zealand’s Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, focusing on agricultural trade, investment, and diversification of exports.
Margherita, who arrived in Auckland on a two-day official visit, said he looked forward to continued engagements with New Zealand’s senior leadership, furthering Indo-Pacific economic cooperation.
The renewed momentum in India-New Zealand relations comes at a time when both nations are realigning trade strategies amid changing global supply chains and geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.