New Zealand Member of Parliament Parmjeet Parmar has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Auckland as 'hugely significant', saying it will strengthen bilateral ties and deliver practical benefits for both nations. Speaking in an exclusive interview on Friday, 10 July, Parmar also welcomed the recently concluded India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark achievement in the two countries' relationship.

Why Modi's Visit Matters

Parmar, who represents the ACT Party in the New Zealand Parliament, said the Indian diaspora in New Zealand — which has been present for over 100 years — is 'really excited' about the visit. 'It's hugely significant in terms of the benefit that it brings, in terms of the gesture that it brings, that yes, both countries want to work with each other,' she said. She added that the trip marks 'just the start of that great relationship, which is going to deliver practical benefits for both sides.'

India-New Zealand FTA: A 'Significant Achievement'

Parmar called the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement a 'significant achievement', noting that the ACT Party has been 'strongly supportive' of the deal from the outset. She argued that FTAs help lift living standards by 'creating competition, by creating more jobs and lowering costs.' The agreement has been widely seen as a cornerstone of the two nations' deepening economic engagement.

India's Economic Rise and Digital Leadership

The Auckland-based MP, who is of Indian origin, praised India's economic trajectory over the past 10 to 15 years, describing the country as 'emerging as a global leader' across multiple sectors. On India's Digital Public Infrastructure and the potential introduction of UPI in New Zealand, Parmar said there is 'a lot of opportunity' for collaboration in the technology space, noting that both countries possess 'world-class innovation.'

Indo-Pacific Stability and Geopolitical Cooperation

Asked about how the two nations could jointly navigate geopolitical pressures — particularly tensions in West Asia — Parmar said that once the bilateral relationship is formalised, both governments can engage in substantive conversations on regional stability. 'We are a country that truly likes to see peace and prosperity in the region, and contributions of India will be hugely appreciated,' she said, pointing to the Indo-Pacific as a shared area of strategic interest.

What's Next

Prime Minister Modi's visit to New Zealand is expected to further cement the diplomatic and economic framework established by the FTA. With a growing Indian diaspora, expanding trade ties, and shared interests in Indo-Pacific stability, observers say the visit could open the door to deeper cooperation in technology, defence, and people-to-people exchanges.