India for us is a game changer; Need to explore new frontiers where both nations have real advantages: Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand

Mar 18, 2025

Every possibility of achieving 10X growth in the next 10 years for the India-New Zealand partnership: Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India

 

 

NEW DELHI, 18 March 2025: Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand today while addressing the ‘India-New Zealand Economic Forum’, organized by FICCI, jointly with the New Zealand High Commission in India, said that businesses play a critical role in building economies and relationship between the two nations.

 

The Prime Minister advocated the need to explore new sectors where both nations have real advantage. “I feel optimistic about the future of both India and New Zealand and India is a game changer,  a consequential relationship for us. Together we have recognised that there is a lot more that the two countries should be doing together,” he noted.

 

He further stated that as government, we can set up the operating system and create a suitable environment for the industry to create growth and opportunities. “In a multipolar world, India is a huge geopolitical player not only at a regional level, but also at a global level. India is the fifth largest economy, getting to the third largest by 2030 and is a huge economic engine,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

 

Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India expressed optimism for the FTA talks between India and New Zealand to conclude within 60 days. “The India-New Zealand partnership will be strong and unbeatable. Together, there is every possibility of achieving 10X growth in the next 10 years between India and New Zealand. The FTA talks between the two countries will be vibrant, will add new colour to our relationship and will help to further expand our ties. I believe all the businesspersons both from New Zealand and India will help achieve this goal,” he added.

 

Mr Goyal further stated that the Indian economy today is at $4 trillion and is poised to grow to $35 trillion in next 22-25 years. “We have a big delta of opportunity in the country but we do believe that this opportunity is best worked upon when we work with friends across the world; with democracies across the world; with countries where the rule of law prevails, the democracies around the world where businesses get equal opportunity, get a fair deal are able to work in a spirit of competitiveness, yet fairness and that is what I believe the New Zealand India partnership is all about,” he added.

 

Highlighting the potential sectors, Mr Goyal said that agri-tech, dairy, food processing, pharma renewable energy, critical minerals, forestry, horticulture, tourism, sports are areas where we can work together. Education and research are areas where we must focus because that is what brings people closer to each other. The huge amount of opportunity and innovation that comes out of New Zealand can reach the whole world through India, he noted. “Manufacturing in India, producing in India for the world at competitive prices can help us take this partnership to greater heights,” he added.

 

Mr Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President, FICCI and Vice Chairman & MD, Emami Ltd said, “The India-New Zealand bilateral relationship has been progressing steadily through regular political, economic, and people-to-people exchanges. Both countries share a common interest in fostering peace, cooperation, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Ms Dame Therese Walsh, Chair, ASB Bank and Air New Zealand stressed that India and New Zealand should work together to tackle global problems and  increase the trade between the two countries.

 

Dr Anish Shah, Immediate Past President, FICCI and MD & CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said that there are multiple areas of collaboration between both countries including tourism, agriculture, technology, digital initiatives, but more important is the actions that we need to take. “Let us work together to harness the immense trade potential between India-New Zealand,” he added.

 

Ms Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI said, “Today’s discussions have clearly underscored the immense potential for India and New Zealand to expand our economic partnership. The insightful exchanges have highlighted key areas of collaboration, setting a clear path for businesses to explore new synergies and unlock fresh growth opportunities.”

 

During the event, 7 MoUs were signed across various sectors, including education, aviation, hospitality, and data security. FICCI renewed its MoU with the India-New Zealand Business Council, emphasizing its significance in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties.