Venkat Raman
Auckland, August 15, 2020
This article may be seen as an anachronism and as a thorn in the flesh of bilateral relations and as antithetical by some self-styled community and business leaders but an honest analysis of the Indo-Kiwi relationship, or the dormancy of it, is always intended to raise issues, in the solution of which, there could be a more beneficial engagement.
Relations with New Zealand
For all the rhetoric uttered by political leaders, economists and businesspersons, India’s relations with New Zealand has remained at a mundane level – almost static over the past thirteen years or so; there have been high-level ministerial visits from either side to either country but none of these has produced any tangible results.
The much talked about Free Trade Agreement (FTA) remains on the backburner, with its flame kept alive with just hope.
The annual two-way trade between the two countries remains low at NZ$ 2.5 billion (of which $1.7 billion are exports to India), compared to China, trade with which, now at NZ$ 30 billion.
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 an 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.
Some of us who travelled with (the then Prime Minister) John Key to India in 2011 and 2016 were aware of the rumblings in Delhi’s South Block (where much power is brokered and broken), to the effect that New Zealand was not willing to travel an extra mile to support India – as a true friend should.
Mr Key did not explicitly support India’s application to join the NSG, but only committed to “contribute constructively” to the “process” to reach a decision by an early date. Mr Key’s visit took place as India revved up its campaign for its second attempt to join the NSG.
Globalisation dressing
“New Zealand can benefit by participating in India’s Services Sector, which has been fully liberalised. We would welcome New Zealand to be our partner in modernising and expanding our infrastructure, education, health and other areas. There are no restrictions on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). We have the presence and participation of almost all major multinationals in India. The New Zealand government and Kiwi companies should realise that India is the place to be in the next three years,” he said.
Positive approach
None of the above should however distract us from pursuing constructive engagement with India. This article is at best a pointer on the enormity of problems that confront Indo-Kiwi relationship and the poverty of our contributions in solving them. The one should instil in us a feeling of humility and the other the spirit of solidarity to achieve the desired results. The two countries have much in common which can be harnessed for a brighter future for the peoples of both countries.
