Opinion: New Zealand-India relations—a century beckons

Raf Manji (pictured): "For New Zealand, there has never been a better time to lean into, and build upon, its relationship with India."

In 2027, New Zealand and India will celebrate 75 years since the New Zealand High Commission was opened in Delhi. Of course, this relationship goes back much further through early migration, Commonwealth ties and the East India Company. A shared love of cricket and curry has followed, and a large – and growing – Indian diaspora has become an integral part of life in New Zealand. 

I recently returned from six-weeks in India, where I spent three weeks travelling through the glorious southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, followed by another three weeks exploring Mumbai, the Gujarat, Jaipur and Delhi.  

My last trip had been in 2020, just prior to the breakout of Covid-19. India had a rough time during the pandemic yet has bounced back with a growing economy and an increasing confidence and presence in global affairs.

The Ukraine crisis thrust India back onto the world stage as the country’s ability to balance positive relationships with Russia, Ukraine and the United States has positioned it as a potential peacemaker. India has since grown not just its economy, now on track to be the third largest in the world, but also its diplomatic influence.  

India is a founding member of BRICS, an intergovernmental organisation established as a counterpart and alternative to the G7 bloc

In a world of acronyms for international groupings, India is a leader. It straddles East and West, as a member of BRICS, SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation), the G20, and the QUAD (USA, Australia and Japan). It has a close partnership with ASEAN and has many other economic, trade and security relationships that give it a wide-ranging sphere of engagement.

For New Zealand, there has never been a better time to lean into, and build upon, its relationship with India. But it can only do this by recognising the importance of developing enduring relationships and establishing long-term trust.  

New Zealanders are correct to observe that, as our 12th largest trade partner, there is vast potential to strengthen economic ties with India. But New Zealand’s rigid focus on obtaining a free trade agreement has diverted attention from building business-to-business relationships, fostering innovation and the exchanging of talent. This focus on exports rather than building new businesses inside India, aligning with the country’s “Make in India” campaign,  risks becoming a missed opportunity. Attracting and incentivising Indian investment in New Zealand and partnerships in key industries also warrant further exploration. 

Raf: "New Zealanders are correct to observe that, as our 12th largest trade partner, there is vast potential to strengthen economic ties with India."

So, what can New Zealand do now? It can start by familiarising itself with India’s distinct regions. India is a vast and diverse country with 36 geographic entities, 28 states and eight union territories. That takes some coverage for a small country like New Zealand, but spreading our representative wings beyond Delhi and Mumbai would be a start, with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi as growing economic and technology powerhouses.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is running a new programme, “Illuminate India”, which will seek to help New Zealand businesses come to grips with the local Indian landscape. At the same time, the Indian government’s “Make in India” platform provides incentives and opportunities for overseas companies to set up and manufacture in India’s various industrial corridors.  

New Zealand technology companies such as Rakon have already established bases in India and hopefully more will follow suit. Auckland company, Mint Innovation, is an example of a clean biotechnology company expanding globally. It is looking to establish in India to help with the mounting issue of e-waste and to reduce the environmental impact of critical metal extraction. Increasing local business and investment partnerships is a productive approach to building a stronger bilateral relationship. 

Improving the ease of travel between New Zealand and India as a means to strengthening the relationship was a recurring suggestion from those Raf encountered in India

There are other options on the table too.  

As I travelled around India, people gave me their suggestions for improving and strengthening the relationship. The most frequently mentioned is a direct flight. There are clear reasons for this: the Indian community is now the third largest ethnic group in New Zealand, and Indian tourists to New Zealand are exceeding pre-Covid-19 levels, reflecting growing interest in what New Zealand has to offer.

However, many would-be visitors live outside India’s major cities and must catch domestic flights before they can connect internationally. A direct international flight would help cut down on these lengthy travel times. This key connective infrastructure would be a long-term investment in facilitating people-to-people ties.

Alongside calls for direct flights, are requests for faster and smoother visitor and student visa processing, as well as a suggestion to attach pre-approved parental visitor visa for all students coming to study in New Zealand.  

New Zealand High Commissioner to India, H.E. Mr Patrick John Rata, presenting his credentials to the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in May 2024

As well as business and interpersonal ties, politics is critical. Supporting India in its international goals, and recognising when our goals and interests align, is another way to show goodwill, whether it is supporting the G4’s (made up of India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) campaign for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council or membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Maritime security in the Indo-Pacific is also an important area of interest for India that could be another engagement point, including through the QUAD-led Exercise Malabar and other regular exercises in the Indian and Pacific Oceans involving key alliances.

Ultimately, relationships are reciprocal endeavours and listening to what the other party would like is always a good place to start. I came back from India with a sense of positivity and optimism. There is a strong underlying relationship based on goodwill and friendship, and, with a shifting international order, now is the right time to build on that and take the New Zealand-India relationship to the next level.  

About the author 

Raf Manji is an expert on New Zealand-Asia relations, particularly in trade and economic relations, climate change and sustainability. He has worked as an investment banker, in local government and in the non-profit sector. He holds a degree in economics and social studies from the University of Manchester and a master's in international law and politics from the University of Canterbury.  He is a 2025 Asia New Zealand Foundation Non- resident Domestic Fellow. 

The Foundation's Asia in Focus initiative publishes expert insights and analysis on issues across Asia, as well as New Zealand’s evolving relationship with the region.