New Delhi, 22 December (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a pivotal telephone conversation with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday, during which the leaders jointly announced the successful conclusion of a landmark India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, hailing it as a catalyst for surging trade, investment, innovation, and opportunities across sectors.

Initiated during Luxon's March 2025 visit to India, the negotiations wrapped in a record nine months, reflecting robust political commitment to elevate bilateral ties. The pact promises zero-duty access for 100% of India's exports, tariff liberalization on 70% of lines covering 95% of trade, and New Zealand's most ambitious services offer yet across 118 sectors like IT, telecom, and tourism, alongside quotas for 5,000 skilled Indian professionals and post-study work visas up to four years.

The leaders projected bilateral trade doubling within five years and USD 20 billion in New Zealand investments into India over 15 years, fortified by agricultural Centres of Excellence for apples, kiwifruit, and honey—paired with protective quotas—while excluding sensitive items like dairy and onions.

Enhanced mobility for students, youth via Work and Holiday visas, and pharma approvals via mutual recognitions underscore the people-centric framework.

Progress in defence, sports, education, and people-to-people links drew acclaim, with both reaffirming deepened strategic partnership.

This announcement follows Modi's morning X post sharing a Sanskrit Subhashitam—गते शोको न कर्तव्यो भविष्यं नैव चिन्तयेत्। वर्तमानेन कालेन वर्तयन्ति विचक्षणाः॥—advocating present-focused wisdom, symbolizing forward momentum in India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar