Auckland, July 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to New Zealand investors and business leaders on Saturday to collaborate with India in sectors such as infrastructure development, civil aviation, logistics, clean energy, urban mobility, water management, waste management, and the digital economy.
Appreciating India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, PM Modi called for closer engagement between the private sectors of both nations in innovation, fintech, and emerging technologies.
Addressing a select group of CEOs and business leaders, he emphasized the need to combine New Zealand’s strengths in dairy science, horticulture, and forestry with India’s consumer market, food parks, and agri-tech talent to create a global food value chain.
The Prime Minister encouraged businesses to enhance investment and commercial partnerships, aiming to double bilateral trade to NZD 7 billion (approximately ₹35,000 crore) by 2030.
PM Modi highlighted that the India-New Zealand economic partnership could serve as a model for inclusive and sustainable trade, as well as a platform for innovation and prosperity.
During the event, attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, PM Modi noted that both countries are bound by shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, diversity, and a common commitment to sustainable development, providing a strong foundation for a robust and forward-thinking economic partnership.
He described the India-New Zealand free trade agreement as a landmark deal that would deepen and accelerate economic relations between the two countries, opening new opportunities for market access, investment, services, technology, and talent mobility.
According to an official statement, PM Modi also emphasized that India’s rapid growth, youthful and skilled workforce, expanding middle class, digital revolution, focus on next-generation infrastructure, and ongoing economic reforms present significant opportunities for New Zealand companies in trade, investment, and innovation.
Following the meeting, PM Modi posted on social media platform X, stating, “This morning, I had a long and fruitful discussion with Prime Minister Luxon in Auckland. His visit to India last year energized our bilateral partnership, and my visit today, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades, has further strengthened India-New Zealand friendship. We have decided to elevate our relationship to a strategic partnership, moving forward with clear goals and tangible outcomes in every sector.”
In another post, he mentioned that discussions with PM Luxon specifically covered trade, technology, and investment linkages. A robust framework for cooperation in agriculture, dairy, and food processing was also established. He stressed the importance of focusing on healthcare facilities and traditional medicine. The growing cooperation in defense and security reflects the deep strategic trust between both nations, which they aim to enhance further.
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