Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, currently on an official visit to New Zealand, met Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar on Wednesday. The meeting took place as Goyal was travelling to Rotorua to address the India–New Zealand CEOs’ Roundtable.
In a post on X, Goyal wrote, “Delighted to meet Nikhil Ravishankar, CEO of Air New Zealand, en route to Rotorua. Talked about the airline’s impressive role in regional connectivity. Also discussed India’s expanding aviation sector and the exciting new opportunities that it offers.”
Air New Zealand, the country’s flag carrier, operates an extensive domestic and international network of passenger and cargo services.
India’s Air India and Air New Zealand are working to launch direct flights by 2028, a move expected to boost business ties and deepen people-to-people engagement between the two countries.
Goyal is in New Zealand to participate in the fourth round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two nations. The talks, which began on November 3 in Auckland, mark a significant step toward strengthening bilateral trade relations.
Speaking to ANI, Goyal said the discussions were being held in a spirit of warmth and mutual respect.
“I feel that with a lot of enthusiasm and respect, my team, our Indian delegation and I were welcomed here, and in reality, the relationship between India and New Zealand should increase ….if we deepen mutual relations, it is beneficial for both the countries,” he said.
He added that the meetings had been “very good” and reflected strong intent on both sides to deepen engagement. “The way [New Zealand] Prime Minister Luxon spent so much time with me and the ministers and all the people of India who live here …..I t shows that the people of India get a lot of respect here,” Goyal noted.
The minister also said that the proposed FTA would be framed keeping in mind the interests of both nations.
Bilateral trade between India and New Zealand has grown significantly in recent years. Total merchandise trade reached USD 1.3 billion in 2024–25, an increase of 48.6 percent over the previous financial year.
The FTA is expected to further boost trade and investment, enhance supply-chain integration, and build a predictable and transformative economic environment for businesses in both countries.
India’s key imports from New Zealand include wool, iron and steel, fruit and nuts, and aluminium, while major Indian exports to New Zealand include pharmaceuticals, machinery, made-up textile articles, and precious stones and metals.