Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pitched India as a global investment destination, telling New Zealand's business community that the country is "not just a market, but a launchpad for global growth", as the nations unveiled an ambitious roadmap to deepen economic and strategic ties following the signing of a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Addressing the India-New Zealand Business and Sports Engagement event during his two-day visit, PM Modi said the FTA, concluded in a record nine months, would unlock new opportunities in trade, investment, technology, services and talent mobility.
The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that bilateral trade would double by 2030 and highlighted New Zealand's commitment to invest USD 20 billion in India over the next 15 years.
"This is not just investment but also the commitment to be a part of India's growth journey," the Prime Minister said, describing India as the world's fastest-growing major economy driven by a rapidly expanding middle class, digital transformation and massive infrastructure development.
"We have made reform, perform and transform the foundation of governance. Today, India offers policy stability, political stability and continuity of growth. That is why our message to the world is clear: India is not just a market, India is a launchpad for global growth," PM Modi said.
Pitching India as an attractive destination for global investors, the Prime Minister highlighted opportunities in urban infrastructure, noting that over 8,000 projects are being implemented across 100 cities under the Smart Cities Mission.
He invited New Zealand companies to partner with India in urban mobility, water management and waste management, while also welcoming New Zealand universities to establish campuses in India.
The Prime Minister also reached out to Maori business leaders, saying India's civilisational values and Maori traditions share a deep respect for nature, community and sustainability. He said the FTA places special emphasis on creating opportunities for Maori businesses, making the partnership more inclusive and sustainable.
Speaking later at a gala lunch hosted in his honour by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, PM Modi said bilateral ties had gained fresh momentum since Luxon's visit to India last year and noted that his own trip marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in 40 years.
"With PM Luxon's visit to India last year, a new energy has set in every area of our cooperation. Today, after 40 years, an Indian PM is visiting New Zealand. I always say that there are several good works which have been left for me by my predecessors, and I am completing them," PM Modi said.
The economic outreach came alongside a major diplomatic milestone as the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and adopted the "India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030", outlining cooperation across trade, agriculture, defence, security, innovation and people-to-people ties.
Under the roadmap, both sides agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion (around Rs 35,000 crore) by 2030 and ensure the early implementation of the newly signed FTA.
The summit also produced 18 outcome documents, including 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and eight key announcements covering defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, tourism, agriculture, sports, education and culture.
Key agreements included reciprocal logistics support between the Indian Navy and the New Zealand Defence Force, maritime cooperation, hydrography and the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.
The two countries also signed agreements on disaster management, animal husbandry and dairying, tourism, sports cooperation, maritime heritage and cultural exchanges.
Among the major announcements were the launch of a Maritime Security Dialogue, New Zealand joining the maritime security pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), its decision to become a member of the Global Biofuels Alliance, a Kiwifruit Action Plan with Centres of Excellence in Nagaland and Uttarakhand, and agreements to strengthen cooperation in Antarctic research and food technology education.
