While Free Trade Agreements are an essential part of bilateral relations, New Zealand is keen to have a pact that spells quality, High Commissioner-Designate to India Jan Henderson said.
“India is an emerging power in Asia, slated to become the third largest economy in the world. Our negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement have begun well but we must ensure that it is meaningful, comprehensive, sustainable and mutually beneficial.
“We are of course excited at the possibility of such an Agreement with a country with which we have a long history of friendly relations,” she said.
Ms Henderson was speaking at a reception hosted by the Auckland Chapter of the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) at the National Bank Tower in the Central Business District on August 19.
“Our strong relationship should be underpinned by proper utilisation of resources, people-to-people contact and full utilisation of potential areas of engagement,” she said.
She was referring to the huge potential that India offers in education, tourism, investment and commercial sectors.
“These are exciting times for both countries. Our ‘New Zealand Inc Strategy’ should be aimed at taking the relations with India to the next higher level. I consider it a personal privilege to represent New Zealand in the largest democracy in the world,” she said.
In an earlier interview with Indian Newslink (August 1), Ms Henderson had said that she was keen to pursue New Zealand’s policy of working together with developing countries like India, China and Brazil and assist them in technology transfer, agricultural expertise and deforestation.
“While the focus would be to strengthen the relationship between the two countries, there are multilateral ties that would need attention. I am hopeful of pursuing the commitment of New Zealand and India on Climate Change and the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases,” she had said.
INZBC Chair Wenceslaus Anthony said his organisation was keen to witness bilateral dialogue to move at a faster pace.
“We would like to see higher levels of growth in the export sector, as well as investment, technology and professional services.
“The Council will facilitate the New Zealand and Indian Governments to foster closer cooperation in education and tourism sectors,” he said.
Feroz Ali, Chief Executive of the Auckland based New Zealand Career College was critical of the New Zealand Government’s ambidextrous policy on education.
“It is ironic that the Government-owned New Zealand Trade & Enterprise was pulling out of Education New Zealand at a time when all of us are keen to increase student numbers from India. I cannot fathom this,” he said.
About 100 persons representing various segments of the commercial sector attended the reception. Among them were Senior Diplomat and New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Auckland Director Warwick, exporters, importers, consultants and education providers.
Ms Henderson is expected begin her tour of duty in December in New Delhi as the High Commissioner and Plenipotentiary to India, with concurrent accreditation to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. She will present her credentials to India’s President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan thereafter.
Photo : Jan Henderson with (from left) Harish Bajaj, Prince Kumar, Wenceslaus Anthony and Sunil Kaushal at the reception held in Auckland.
