INDIA NEW ZEALAND RELATIONS

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Context:

Nations like India and New Zealand have a particular responsibility of forging a post-colonial order that will provide global prosperity and stability, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said, as he discussed pressing issues like the security situation in the Indo-Pacific and the consequences of the Ukraine conflict with his New Zealand counterpart.
Jaishankar, who is on his first visit to New Zealand as the external affairs minister, held "warm and productive" talks with his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta.

Details:

There was also a very open discussion on how India and New Zealand together will shape the larger region, the Indo-Pacific region
There was a discussion on some current, some pressing issues like the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, the consequences of the Ukraine conflict.
Other issues discussed: climate action, climate justice, air connectivity, concerns of students
India is the second largest source of international students in New Zealand pursuing higher education in various disciplines
During the visit, Jaishankar joined Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to felicitate members of the Indian community for their exceptional achievements and contributions.
New Zealand has approximately 2,50,000 persons of Indian origin and NRIs, a vast majority of which have made the country their permanent home.

Background:

India and New Zealand (NZ) have historically shared close and cordial ties.
Similarities such as membership of the Commonwealth, common law practices and pursuing shared aspirations of achieving economic development and prosperity through democratic governance systems for diverse communities in both countries (NZ prides itself as one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world with 213 ethnicities officially recorded) provide an excellent backdrop for deepening the friendly ties.
Both countries became independent in the same year and diplomatic representation of India was established in 1950 with the opening of a Trade Commission, which was later upgraded to High Commission.
Tourism and sporting links, particularly in cricket, hockey and mountaineering, have also played a significant role in fostering goodwill between the two countries.
Both countries are fellow travellers in their commitment to disarmament, global peace, North-South Dialogue, human rights, ecological preservation and combating international terrorism.
People-to-people contacts have flourished since migration from India began at the turn of the last century.
Leadership of both the countries have shown significant interest in raising all aspects of the relationship to the next level. This is reflected in a series of high-level bilateral visits and meetings.
NZ identified India as a priority country in its “Opening Doors to India” policy notified in October 2011, which was reiterated in 2015. In 2011, NZ launched the NZ Inc. India Strategy, aiming to make India a core trade, economic and political partner for NZ.
Bilateral institutional mechanisms: Foreign Office Consultations, Bilateral Cyber Dialogue, Economic Dialogue
Cooperation on Covid-19 pandemic: Both countries cooperated extensively both bilaterally and as part of a group of like-minded countries in fighting against the pandemic by ensuring continuity of supply chains of essential commodities, medicines and vaccines.
Cooperation in education sector: On 11 February 2020, The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi signed a MoU with NZ universities to establish a NZ Centre at the Institute.
India is NZ’s 11^th largest two-way trading partner with total two-way trade valued at US$1.80 bn during the year ending September 2020. Education and tourism are NZ’s growth sectors with India.
Both sides are committed to work towards a high-quality, comprehensive and balanced bilateral FTA, which is being negotiated since 2010.
Civil Aviation Cooperation: Given the large Indian diaspora in NZ and increasing two-way tourism flow, there is a strong case for a direct air connection between the two countries which might prove to be a game-change for all aspects of bilateral relations.
India NZ Business Council (INZBC) and India NZ Trade Alliance (INZTA) are the two prominent organizations working to promote India-NZ trade and investment relations.
Indians started arriving in NZ in the late 18th century on British East India Company ships, bringing supplies to Australian convict settlements. Most of the initial immigrants were from Gujarat followed by Punjab.
In 1920, they formed the Auckland Indian Association, which celebrated its centenary last year.
NZ India Central Association, founded in 1926, is the umbrella organisation of all Indian associations in NZ and will celebrate its centenary in a few years’ time.
As per a recent study conducted by an Indian association, by a conservative estimate, PIOs contribute $ 10 bn to the NZ economy.
In the field of mountaineering, Sir Edmund Hillary, who is considered a NZ hero, is also an iconic name in India. He served as NZ High Commissioner to India from 1985 to 1988.