A key outcome of the engagement is a new Free Trade Agreement that immediately eliminates tariffs on 57 percent of New Zealand's exports to India. The agreement will gradually expand to cover 95 percent of exports over time. However, the trade pact has also faced opposition within India over concerns related to the agriculture sector and migration.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi interacted with New Zealand's Indian diaspora, which numbers approximately 250,000 people. The community welcomed him with cultural performances and music, reflecting the strong people-to-people ties between the two nations.
In a symbolic gesture marking the historic visit, Auckland's Sky Tower was illuminated in the colours of the Indian national flag, underscoring the significance of the occasion and the growing relationship between India and New Zealand.
The visit represents a major diplomatic milestone as both countries seek to deepen strategic cooperation across multiple sectors through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership while advancing economic engagement under the new Free Trade Agreement.
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