But a long way has to be set. In 2024, India-New Zealand trade was a joint NZ $ 3.14 billion-an excerpt of $ 208.46 billion generated by trade with China in a year.
Nevertheless, Luxon and his ministers have made undisputed progress. In October last year, their “recurrence of a relationship that has long been neglected” Bore fruit when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the ASEAN Summit, and countries announced the intention of taking the relationship to “Greater Heights”.
The previous labor government helped determine the scene with high-level diplomatic visits and succession of parliamentary exchange. In 2023, the Government of India described relations with New Zealand as “a top of a trajectory”.
And there are clearly good foundations to build – especially 292,000 people of Indian ethnicity in New Zealand, who contribute US $ 10 billion to New Zealand economy.
Business is also mature for expansion. New Zealand mainly exports wool, iron and steel, aluminum, fruits and nuts, wood pulp and recovered paper, and imports Indian pharmaceuticals, machinery, precious metals and stones, textiles, vehicles and clothing.
Last year, there were 8,000 Indian students in New Zealand, a number that could develop well, given a relative decline in student numbers from China. With the US and Britain being more hostile to immigration, New Zealand can provide relatively safe and tolerant options.
In many ways, India is the new China. In 2023, India’s GDP was US $ 14.54 trillion (based on purchasing power equality), making it the fourth largest economy in the world. New Delhi is to become a great power, and is being placed by all countries, large and small.
For example, while Luxon has speed on a business deal, it is also part of a long queue. Given the relative power imbalance between the two countries, the weight of the expectation sits square on its shoulders.
(The author is an associate professor at Global Studies, University of Auckland, Vepapa Tumta Rau. Read the original article.)
