New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) Talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon today saw breakthrough announcements, including on launching of FTA talks with a year-end target, and of Wellington softening its earlier stance of stiff opposition to India joining the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.

Following talks at Hyderabad House today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon agreed to designate senior officials to conclude the Free Trade negotiations as early as possible.

“Perhaps by the end of this year, we hope to conclude a free trade agreement,” Secretary East, Jaideep Mazumdar said at a special briefing later.

Previous negotiations on a FTA between the two sides went on from 2011 to 2015 but were unsuccessful, with dairy proving a major obstacle.

On the NSG membership, the joint statement said: “Both Leaders emphasized the importance of upholding the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, and acknowledged the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group in context of predictability for India’s clean energy goals and its non-proliferation credentials.”

New Zealand has been among the countries to oppose India’s membership to the NSG as New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty.

On launching of the FTA talks, the New Zealand PM Luxon termed it as a “major breakthrough in the economic relationship”.

“When we came into Government 16 months ago, we made it clear that closer economic ties with India was a key priority.

“Currently the fifth-largest economy in the world, with a population of 1.4 billion people, India holds significant potential for New Zealand and will play a pivotal role in doubling New Zealand’s exports by value over the next ten years,” he said on Sunday.

He said that Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has visited India five times and had eight meetings with his Indian counterpart. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has also visited India, and added that he himself “had a highly productive meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year”.

After the talks the two sides made four Announcements:

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

2. Launch of negotiations between India and New Zealand on an arrangement facilitating the mobility

of professionals and skilled workers;

3. New Zealand joins the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI);

4. New Zealand becomes member of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

The two sides inked seven Bilateral Documents:

1. Joint Statement

2. Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation

3. 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;

4. Memorandum of Cooperation on Horticulture

5. Letter of Intent on Forestry

6. Education Cooperation Agreement

7. Memorandum of Cooperation in Sports

On the horticulture memorandum, New Zealand Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay said the memorandum would foster closer ties in areas such as technical exchanges, training, and harvest management.

"Kiwi fruit will be the first significant achievement under this partnership, already worth $600 million. And this agreement has the potential to create up to $1 billion in reciprocal horticultural benefits over the next decade," McClay said.

On the forestry cooperation, he said: "Many of our forestry exporters have long-standing relationships in India and are keen to expand. This agreement will lay the groundwork for cooperation in sustainable forest management, agroforestry, research and innovation, education, and capacity building," McClay said.

In defence, both Leaders welcomed the signing of the India-New Zealand Memorandum of Understanding for Defence Cooperation. This will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and establish regular bilateral defence engagement. Both sides noted the need for ensuring the safety and security of sea lanes of communication and agreed there needs to be regular dialogue to discuss enhancement of maritime safety, the joint statement said.

New Zealand welcomed India joining the Combined Maritimes Forces. Both Leaders welcomed advancement in defence ties during New Zealand command of Command Task Force 150.

Prime Minister Luxon expressed New Zealand’s interest in joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Prime Minister Modi welcomed New Zealand into this partnership with like-minded countries which seek to manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain. Further cooperation as maritime nations is also being explored between India and New Zealand with discussions taking place between experts on the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) which is being established at Lothal, Gujarat, it said.

Both Prime Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. This comes amid New Zealand's worry over China spreading its influence in the Tasman Sea by holding live fire drills there.



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