Auckland, July 11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 11 invited New Zealand businesses to become active partners in India’s economic transformation, highlighting the country’s robust growth, expanding consumer market and ongoing structural reforms as he sought greater investment across infrastructure, clean energy, logistics, digital technologies and innovation.
Addressing a select gathering of chief executive officers and business leaders alongside New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, Modi described the recently concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark achievement that would usher in a new phase of bilateral economic cooperation by expanding opportunities in trade, investment, services, technology and talent mobility.
The interaction with industry leaders formed part of Prime Minister Modi’s official visit to New Zealand, during which the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership and unveiled an ambitious ‘Roadmap to 2030’ aimed at deepening cooperation across multiple sectors.
Highlighting the strong foundations of the bilateral relationship, Modi said India and New Zealand were united by shared democratic values, respect for the rule of law, cultural diversity and a common commitment to sustainable development. These shared principles, he said, provided the basis for building a forward-looking and mutually beneficial economic partnership.
Emphasising India’s emergence as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, the Prime Minister pointed to the country’s sustained high economic growth, young and skilled workforce, expanding middle class, digital transformation, next-generation infrastructure development and continuing economic reforms as key drivers creating significant opportunities for international investors.
He said India’s political stability and consistent economic performance had positioned it as an important engine of global growth and encouraged New Zealand companies to participate in the country’s development journey.
Modi identified infrastructure development, civil aviation, logistics, clean energy, urban mobility, water management, waste management and the digital economy as priority sectors offering substantial investment opportunities. He also called for stronger collaboration between the private sectors of the two countries in innovation, financial technology, start-ups and emerging technologies, noting that closer business partnerships could unlock new avenues for growth.
Referring to India’s thriving startup ecosystem, the Prime Minister said greater cooperation in innovation-driven sectors would complement the broader economic partnership and create opportunities for businesses in both countries.
He also highlighted the complementary strengths of the two economies, saying New Zealand’s expertise in dairy science, horticulture and forestry could be combined with India’s vast consumer market, food processing infrastructure and agri-technology capabilities to build globally competitive food value chains.
Calling upon businesses to expand commercial engagement and investment, Modi urged industry leaders from both countries to contribute towards the shared objective of doubling bilateral trade in goods and services to NZ$7 billion (approximately ₹35,000 crore) by 2030.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the India-New Zealand economic partnership could emerge as a model of inclusive and sustainable trade while fostering innovation, investment and long-term prosperity for both countries.
