Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invited New Zealand businesses to expand their investments in India, highlighting the country’s strong economic fundamentals, policy stability and growing opportunities across infrastructure, technology, clean energy and innovation.
Prime Minister Modi, along with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, interacted with a select group of chief executive officers (CEOs) and business leaders in Auckland during his official visit to New Zealand.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said India and New Zealand share democratic values, respect for the rule of law, diversity and a common commitment to sustainable development, providing a strong foundation for a forward-looking economic partnership.
Describing the recently concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark milestone, PM Modi said it would add greater depth and dynamism to bilateral economic ties while creating new opportunities in market access, investment, services, technology and talent mobility.
“The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement is a landmark that will add depth and dynamism to our bilateral economic ties, and open new opportunities for market access, investment, services, technology and talent mobility,” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting India’s economic strengths, PM Modi said sustained high growth, a young and skilled workforce, an expanding middle class, rapid digital transformation, next-generation infrastructure development and continuing economic reforms have created significant opportunities for global investors.
“India’s sustained high growth, coupled with a young and skilled workforce, expanding middle class, digital revolution, next-generation infrastructure push and continuing economic reforms, offer significant opportunities for trade, investment and innovation for companies in New Zealand,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India’s political stability and sustained economic growth have positioned the country as a major contributor to global growth. He invited New Zealand companies to partner with India in sectors such as infrastructure, civil aviation, logistics, clean energy, urban mobility, water management, waste management and the digital economy.
Calling for greater collaboration in innovation, PM Modi highlighted India’s vibrant start-up ecosystem and encouraged businesses from both countries to deepen partnerships in fintech and emerging technologies.
He also underscored the complementary strengths of the two economies, saying New Zealand’s expertise in dairy science, horticulture and forestry, combined with India’s large consumer market, food parks and agri-tech talent, could help build globally competitive food value chains.
“New Zealand’s strengths in dairy science, horticulture and forestry, and India’s consumer market, food parks and agri-tech talent should come together to create global food value chains,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister urged businesses to expand commercial partnerships and contribute to the shared goal of doubling bilateral trade to NZD 7 billion (approximately ₹35,000 crore) by 2030.
“The India-New Zealand economic partnership can become a model for inclusive and sustainable trade and a platform for innovation and prosperity,” he said.
The interaction with business leaders formed part of Prime Minister Modi’s two-day official visit to New Zealand, during which the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and adopted the India-New Zealand Strategic Partnership: Roadmap to 2030, aimed at deepening cooperation across trade, investment, defence, technology and people-to-people ties.
