The New Zealand Labour Party has pledged unified support for the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Auckland for the final leg of his three-nation visit. Vanushi Walters, the Labour Party's spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, described the agreement as a "significant milestone" in the bilateral relationship, underpinned by mutual respect and shared democratic values.
Bipartisan Commitment to the FTA
Speaking to ANI, Walters confirmed that the FTA enjoys cross-party backing, with both the Labour Party and the National Party committed to its successful implementation. "It's a firm commitment from New Zealand. It will take more than one government or one term of government for us to deliver on all of those obligations," she said. Walters emphasized that the government has the opposition's full support to move forward with the trade deal.
Operationalising the Agreement
Walters noted that the signing of the FTA marks the beginning of a 15-year horizon focused on economic integration and market access. "The most important work is yet to come. We've now made these commitments to one another and we have a 15-year horizon ahead of us," she explained. The upcoming period will involve supporting exporters, facilitating investment, and ensuring visas are managed within a framework of human rights and legal protections.
Worker and Student Protections
A key priority for the Labour Party is the fair treatment of workers and students moving between the two countries. Walters stated that her party requested special measures to protect the legal rights of Indian workers in New Zealand. "Because we're a Labour Party, our chief concern is often the fair treatment of workers. That is really why we asked the government to include special measures to ensure that the workers coming from India to New Zealand have their legal rights protected," she said.
Upcoming Meetings and Future Visits
PM Modi is scheduled to meet with New Zealand's political leadership, including Walters and the Leader of the Opposition, on Saturday. Walters described these meetings as the start of a "new phase" in the relationship. She also confirmed her intent to visit India in November, following New Zealand's elections, to further strengthen ties. "India is an extremely important partner, and both the National Party and Labour Party have agreed. The Labour Party offered our support for the signing of the India FTA," she added.
Economic and Diplomatic Significance
The FTA is expected to boost investment and export sectors, requiring sustained commitment across political cycles. Walters highlighted that the agreement provides an opportunity to grow person-to-person contact, particularly through student and worker visas. "We have encouraged those visas, which we'll have in the student and workers' rights space," she said. The cross-party consensus ensures stability for businesses and investors looking to bridge the two markets.
