Venkat Raman
Auckland, March 10, 2025
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to embark on a significant diplomatic visit to India later this week. The four-day visit (from March 17 to March 20) including two days each in Delhi and Mumbai, comes at a time when trade is becoming a critical component of international relations and as New Zealand hopes to realise its aspirations.
While Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay have set a congenial environment (with their visits to Delhi) for bilateral talks, Mr Luxon is seen as a friendly leader, with a proper understanding of the Indian sentiments towards New Zealand. To this extent, he realises that a Free Trade Agreement with India would not be possible until all wrinkles in the relations are ironed out to allow New Zealand and Wellington to navigate their talks towards a mutually rewarding relationship.
His previous private sector roles took Mr Luxon to India several times and hence he is aware of the country’s business climate and consumer markets. This knowledge, augmented by his ambitions as the Prime Minister of New Zealand would encourage him to take a pragmatic approach. There are many areas other than trade that can build constructive engagement with India.
The Largest-Ever Delegation
Mr Luxon said that he has put together ‘the largest delegation ever’ and that those accompanying him will include Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, Social Development Minister Louise Upston, Ethnic Communities, Police and Sports Minister Mark Mitchell, officials from the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, Chief Executives of public and private undertakings, representatives of community organisations and the media.
Maori performers, sportspersons and others will be a part of the delegation.
“New Zealand’s relationship with India is more important than ever at this time of geopolitical uncertainty. I am confident that my visit will achieve a step change in our engagement, as we continue to strengthen our mutual security and prosperity. The large and growing Indian Diaspora make significant contributions to New Zealand. I am pleased to be travelling with a first-of-its-kind community delegation, to highlight the importance of the people-to-people links we share, and to profile the best and brightest among Kiwi-Indians,” Mr Luxon said.
He hopes to sign a few Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with India, while his discussions are expected to focus on Trade, Investment, Defence, Education, Agriculture and Space Technology. Any suggestion to reduce tariffs on agricultural and dairy products and wine exported by New Zealand to India is likely to be met with resistance and hence he would be guided by Mr McClay who has met India’s Commerce & Industry Minister at least on six occasions in the past year and hence understands the mood of that country.
The Raisina Dialogue
The Indian government has bestowed on Mr Luxon the honour of delivering the Keynote Address alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi at this year’s Raisina Dialogue on March 17, 2025 in New Delhi. Organised by the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation and the External Affairs Ministry of India, the Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.
This annual series brings together leaders in politics, business, media and civil society to discuss the state of the world and explore opportunities for cooperation on a wide range of contemporary matters. The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving Heads of State, Cabinet Ministers and local government officials, joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media and academia.
As well as the raging conflicts in various parts of the world, international trade and opportunities for enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of New Zealand and India are expected to feature in his Keynote Address.
Security Concerns
According to Radio New Zealand Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch, Mr Luxon’s visit to India also comes against the backdrop of New Zealand’s unease at China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
“China caused some alarm last month when it sent three navy vessels into the Tasman Sea to conduct live-fire exercises. I view India as being ‘very much aligned’ with New Zealand’s views on security and stability in the region. There is a lot more that we can do in a defence joint exercises, visits, a whole bunch of different things that we can do in that space,” he said.
Mr McCulloch said that while India was likely to resonate with New Zealand’s worries about China, there would be less alignment on the war on Ukraine. India has pursued a largely neutral stance and has never criticized Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Luxon was sure that the conflict would come up in his conversation with Mr Modi where he would make New Zealand’s position clear: “No change for us. We stand with Ukraine,” he said.
“India is an important power in the Indo-Pacific and I will discuss with Prime Minister Modi what more we can do together to maintain peace and prosperity in our region,” Mr Luxon said.
Education and Culture
New Zealand is keen on promoting educational and cultural exchanges between the two countries. New Zealand has a significant Indian Diaspora, constituting over 5% of its population (although all of them were born or raised in India). The visit will include discussions on student exchange programmes, research collaborations, and initiatives to celebrate the cultural heritage of New Zealand and India.
Agriculture and space technology are two sectors where New Zealand and India have significant potential for collaboration. Mr Luxon’s visit will focus on exploring opportunities for joint ventures, technology transfer, and research partnerships and leveraging our expertise in dairy farming and India’s advancements in space exploration.
“We have made incredible progress over the last year as we invest in building a broad-based, sustainable relationship with India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and the place from which 6% of New Zealand’s population claim their heritage. I hope my visit will further strengthen the close links between us,” Mr Luxon said.
