Lok Sabha Question No. 5722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Visit of PM of New Zealand
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-5722

## ANSWERED ON- 04/04/2025

VISIT OF PM OF NEW ZEALAND

5722. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA

## SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Prime Minister of New Zealand visited India recently;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the issues discussed during the visit;
- (c) the details of bilateral trade agreements/deals signed between the two nations during the said visit;
- (d)   whether   the   Government   is   considering   to   restart   the negotiations for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is on halt since 2015 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the two nations have also signed any agreement for bolstering   security   cooperation   in   the   Indo-pacific   considering

China's growing military inroads in the region and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) Yes.

(b)  At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of New Zealand, The Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, paid   an   Official   Visit   to   India   on   16-20   March   2025.   He   was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials,   businesses,   media   and   members of the Indian diaspora community in New Zealand.

Discussions were held between the Prime Ministers of India and New   Zealand   covering   the   entire   gamut   of   bilateral   relations including defence and security, trade and investment, education and sports, tourism and people-to-people ties. The two Prime Ministers also exchanged views on global and regional issues, including on multilateral   cooperation.   Prime   Minister   Luxon   called   on   Hon'ble Rashtrapatiji. Several dignitaries called on Prime Minister Luxon,

including External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri J. P. Nadda. Prime Minister Luxon joined the inaugural session of the 10th Raisina Dialogue 2025 on 17 March 2025 in New Delhi as the Chief Guest and delivered the Keynote Address. In Mumbai, discussions   were   held   by   Prime   Minister   Luxon   on   areas   of cooperation between India, especially the State of Maharashtra, and New Zealand with Governor of Maharashtra Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.

(c) The details of announcements made and bilateral agreements signed between the two countries during the visit are:

## Announcements -

i. Launch of negotiations between India and New Zealand on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA);

ii.   Launch of negotiations between India and New Zealand on an arrangement facilitating the mobility of professionals and skilled workers;

iii. New Zealand joins the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI); iv.   New   Zealand   becomes   member   of   the   Coalition   for   Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

Bilateral agreements signed - i.  Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of India and the New Zealand Ministry of Defence;

ii.   Authorized Economic Operator - Mutual Recognition Agreement (AEO-MRA)   between   the   Central   Board   of   Indirect   Taxes   and Customs of India (CBIC) and the New Zealand Customs Service;

iii.   Memorandum   of   Cooperation   on   Horticulture   between   the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare of India and the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand;

iv. Letter of Intent on Forestry between the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of India and the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand;

v.   Education   Cooperation   Agreement   between   the   Ministry   of Education of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Education of New Zealand;

vi. Memorandum of Cooperation in Sports between the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports of the Government of India and the Sport New Zealand of the Government of New Zealand.

- (d) India and New Zealand announced the launch of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial India-New Zealand Free   Trade   Agreement   (FTA).   The   India-New   Zealand   FTA negotiations aim to achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply chain integration and improve market access.
- (e) Bilateral documents signed and announcements made during the visit are mentioned in part (c). India's relations with New Zealand stand firm on their own footing and are independent of actions of any third country.

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