New Delhi: A new chapter of friendship is about to begin between India and New Zealand. Recently, both the countries had signed an important free trade agreement. Now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go on an official visit to New Zealand on July 10. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed this important visit. This will be the first time that an Indian Prime Minister will visit New Zealand, and it will be a big step in the friendship between the two countries.

New phase in India-New Zealand friendship

Prime Minister Modi will reach Auckland on July 10 and will return the next day. New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon has expressed great enthusiasm about this visit. He has said that this visit will be an important step in the friendship between the two countries, which will promote the progress of both the countries.

Increase in trade through FTA

India and New Zealand had signed an important free trade agreement on 27 April this year. New Zealand has decided to give 100% duty-free access to all Indian products in its market. This will give a boost to India’s industries like textiles, leather, footwear, engineering goods, gems and jewelery and create new employment opportunities.

India’s stance

India has agreed to reduce or phase out duties on 70% of New Zealand products. India has kept its dairy sector and some sensitive agricultural products out of this agreement so that the interests of the country’s farmers and domestic dairy industry are not harmed.

New opportunities for students and professionals

Another major feature of this agreement is that New Zealand will increase investment in India by 20 billion dollars in the next 15 years. Along with this, special visa arrangements have been made for Indian professionals like IT experts, engineers, health workers, yoga instructors, AYUSH experts, chefs and music teachers. This agreement has also brought great opportunities for Indian students, in which the limit on the number of students has been removed and a provision has been made to work during studies and to be given post-study work visa of 3 to 4 years after completion of the course.

India’s growing influence in global diplomacy

Before this possible visit to New Zealand, PM Modi had extensively visited five countries, UAE, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden and Norway in the month of May. During that time, the main agenda of India’s talks was to increase global cooperation in green transition, advanced manufacturing, strategic investment, secure supply chain and artificial intelligence. Now this visit to New Zealand will further strengthen India’s ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy and the country’s growing influence in global trade.