India a strategic launchpad: PM Modi tells NZ CEOs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday invited New Zealand’s top business leaders to invest across multiple sectors in India, asserting that the country is not merely a market but a strategic launchpad for global growth.

Addressing a select group of CEOs and corporate leaders, Modi highlighted the recently signed India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark that would unlock opportunities in market access, investment, services, technology, and talent mobility.

The remarks came shortly after Modi held wide-ranging bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. The two leaders announced 18 key outcomes, including 10 agreements, and upgraded bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. New Zealand committed to investing $20 billion in India over the next 15 years.

“In India, we have made reform, perform, and transform the basis of governance. Today, India has policy stability, political stability, and continuity of growth,” Modi said. “Our message to the world is: India is not only a market; India is a launchpad for global growth.”

He described the FTA, negotiated in a record nine months, as “a new resolve for our shared future.” Modi expressed confidence that the partnership would help double bilateral trade to NZD 7 billion (about Rs 35,000 crore) by 2030. Speaking on New Zealand’s investment pledge, Modi said it reflected a commitment to participate in India’s development journey.

“India remains the world’s fastest-growing major economy. Our growing middle class, large-scale digital adoption, and infrastructure push make India a unique growth story,” he added.

The Prime Minister spotlighted the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, offering around $20 billion in support across 14 sectors ranging from food processing to textiles. He invited New Zealand businesses to join India’s manufacturing momentum in airports, regional connectivity, air cargo, and tourism.

Modi also called for collaboration in dairy, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, clean energy, urban mobility, water and waste management, logistics, digital economy, fintech, and emerging technologies. “New Zealand has vast expertise in dairy science and horticulture. India has strengths in consumer markets and agri-tech. Together, we can build farm-to-market value chains and global export platforms,” he said.

Later on Saturday, at a community event attended by members of the Indian diaspora in Auckland, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed Narendra Modi as “one of the most important leaders of our time.” Luxon credited Modi’s leadership with transforming India, praising the country’s economic and social progress over the past decade.

“India has lifted millions out of poverty, expanded its infrastructure at an unprecedented pace, and emerged as a major global power,” Luxon said. He described Modi as “a true friend to New Zealand” and highlighted the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.

Luxon emphasised the vital role played by the Indian community in strengthening bilateral ties. He called the friendship between India and New Zealand “truly extraordinary.”

The two leaders’ engagements underscore deepening economic and people-to-people links. With shared democratic values and complementary strengths, the upgraded strategic partnership is expected to foster inclusive and sustainable growth while serving as a model for bilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.