India-New Zealand Relation
Source : The Diplomat
GS II : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora
What is discussed under India-New Zealand Relation?
- Recent visit Facts
- Relation India – New Zealand
Why in News ?
Jaishankar met with his New Zealand counterpart, Nanaia Mahuta.
Key Facts
- India urged for fairer and more empathetic treatment in a public statement in response to New Zealand’s refusal to renew visas for Indian students who had fled the country during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Instead of free trade agreement between New Zealand and India, New Zealand could only point to potential economic cooperation in niche areas such as digital services and green business.
Relation India – New Zealand
History
- New Zealand connections date back to the 1800s; in the 1850s, Indians began to settle in Christchurch.
- In the 1890s, more immigrants from Gujarat and Punjab migrated to New Zealand.
- In 1915, Indian soldiers fought alongside Anzacs in Gallipoli.
Trade and Investment
- The amount of services traded has doubled to $1.2 billion, bringing the overall value of trade (goods and services combined) to almost $2.64 billion.
- On going Negotiations : New Zealand-India FTA and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
- India now ranks only 15th in the list of New Zealand’s biggest trading partners but in 2016, India was New Zealand’s 10th biggest trading partner.
- A five-year plan called India-New Zealand 2025: Investing in the Relationship lays out how New Zealand government agencies and partners may strengthen their ties with India.
- Both the sides actively participate in the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Tourism
- The number of tourists has more than doubled since 2011, with over 65,000 Indian visitors to New Zealand in the year ending in November 2019.
Students
- India is New Zealand’s second largest source of international students, with over 17,000 Indian students studying in New Zealand.
- The two countries have set up an India-New Zealand Education Council.
- NZ has recently announced NZ Excellence Awards, of 35 scholarship of NZ$5000 across all eight major NZ universities for India students.
Cultural Co-Operation
- Diwali has been recognized as the representative festival of the Indian community in New Zealand.
- special function was held in the New Zealand Parliament on10th May 2016 to remember Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
- High Commission celebrated the second International Day of Yoga in Wellington and other important cities in New Zealand on 19 June.
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