WELLINGTON, July 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to New Zealand this week, the first by an Indian premier in 40 years, marks a watershed moment for bilateral ties but comes amid political and social friction, according to experts.
While most experts called the visit a chance to elevate a long-underdeveloped relationship, several flagged concerns over anti-Indian rhetoric and resistance within the island nation’s ruling coalition to the newly signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Modi, on a three-nation tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, will reach Auckland on the final leg of his journey.
The two-day visit, the first by an Indian prime minister since Rajiv Gandhi’s visit in 1986, builds on Luxon’s trip to India last year and will focus on deepening trade ties.
Sekhar Bandyopadhyay, director of the New Zealand India Research Institute, said that unlike the 1986 visit — a public relations success — this one is “mired in political controversy from the beginning,” with a coalition partner in the New Zealand government fanning “exaggerated” fears that the FTA could fuel Indian immigration and alter demographics.
Nicholas Smith, senior lecturer at the University of Waikato, called the visit a potential “watershed” since New Zealand rarely hosts leaders of “Modi’s stature.”
Sita Venkateswar, associate professor at Massey University, offered three top priorities for New Delhi and Wellington to ensure that Modi’s visit translates into an enduring bilateral partnership. (PTI)
