Issue 393 June 1, 2018
Trade and Export Growth Minister has cause to be upset with us.
We dampened his enthusiasm and optimism that sooner than later, his government would be able to sign a Free Trade Agreement or perhaps a Closer Economic Cooperation with India.
After all, it was the Labour government that had initiated a discussion with the Indian government in 2007, which, after eleven years, remains just that: discussion.
He had said that (see our Businesslink Section) extraordinarily high import tariffs have brought a decline in our exports to India and that a strong trade relationship is essential to further bilateral ties.
India has continuously expressed its aversion to discuss exemption of tariffs on agricultural, farming and dairy products from New Zealand, as these would adversely affect its own agricultural sectors. Instead, Delhi has offered a FTA in its Services Sector, which has not found much favour with the New Zealand government.
Political fallout
Politics has not been helpful in strengthening relationship between the two countries.
While the Indian Government has neither forgotten nor forgiven New Zealand’s non-endorsement of India’ bid to the Permanent Membership of the UN Security Council and on the issue of Nuclear Supply Group (NSG), the New Zealand leadership is still bitter about New Delhi’s reluctance in supporting the candidature of Helen Clark to the post of Secretary General.
We will articulate further on this issue later.
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